/' 




{LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.} 



# 






I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, f 




i 



MEMOIR 



OF 



MRS. ELIZABETH McFARLAND; 



jfttll ®mmvantz of p?o»e 

THE REWARD OF DILIGENCE IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 



BY NATHANIEL BOUTON, 

PASTOR OF mi 3T CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, CONCORD, N- H. 



And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence, 
to the full assurance of hope unto the end. — St. Paul. 



CONCORD, N. H. 
MARSH, CAPEN AND LYON. 

1839. 




B^ 172.5 



Entered according to an act of Congress, March 8. 1839, 
by Asa McFarland, in the Clerk's office of the Dis- 
trict Court of New-Hampshire. 



— . — . 

MEMOIR OP MRS. IMC'FARLAXD-THIRD 

EDITION. 

PUBLISHED by CROCKER & BREWSTER, 47 Wash- 
ington street, Boston. 

Memoir of Mrs. Elizabeth McFarland, or Full Assurance 
of Hope the Reward of Diligence in the Christian Life. By 
Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, Pastor of the First Congregational 
Church, Concord, N. II. 

"Our female friends, especially, will find in this volume a 
very rich treasure. If they wish to learn how they may 
grow in grace, triumph over sin, an<3 rise superior to the 
fear of death, let them not only read, but study the Memoir 
of Mrs. McFariand. The loveliness of her character has 
long and widely 1 been known ; the warmth of her piety, the 
tenderness of her spirit, the steadiness of active devotion to I 
the interests of Zion and the glory of her Savior, have ex 
cited for many years the admiration of all within the circle I 
of her acquaintance. Her mother was a member ot that cir- I 
cle of "praying women," formed in Boston in 1740, whose 
zeal and faithfulness have become so generally known j 
through the "Life of Mrs. Waters ;" and, by the instructions | 
and prayers of that mother, her own religious impressions ( 
were first produced, and afterwards strengthened, to their j 
full maturity. The instruction and consolation found in this J 
volume are adapted to every class of pious minds, and not- I 
withstanding the multitude of similar memoirs, we cannot j 
doubt that this will rank high among the most precious of) 
them all." — Boston Recorder. je 16 



most unmercuuiiy by pis opponent, we my. 
have beard, unattended and uncared for, at the 
ern until Monday morning, when he was carm 
the hospital, where he died on Tuesday. 

Bank of the United States. The 
much talk still in the street, about a dividend 
the U. S. Bank, on the 1st of July. One gt 
man says, he knows, for certainty, one instan 
which the dividend has been already anticipate; 
paid as an accommodation to a stockholder L< 
from Philadelphia say, that a majority of the 1 
tors are in favor of a dividend. These state: 
have sained so much credence, that one and 
two per cent, has been offend for the divide 
| Yet most of our monied men, and many deale] 
quite incredulous.— JV. Y. Jour. Com.. 

~~ ^IMPORTATIONS. 

TRINITY. Sch Atalanta-73 hhds 2 tcs 24 bblh 
ses, 1 do sugar^order. ^ ^ ^ 



TO THE 
CHRISTIAN WOMEN OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 

OF AN EMINENTLY D E V O UT AND USEFUL 

MOTHER IN ISRAEL 

IS RESPECTFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 

BY THE A.UTHOR, 

13 - 
9l/ 



PREFACE. 

11 We who have been acquainted with Mrs. McFarland 
more than thirty years/' said an intimate friend, " will 
know whether what shall be written in her Memoir is 
true." With this remark in view, the author commits 
the work, with entire confidence, to the inspection and 
perusal, not only of her particular friends, and those 
who have known her by reputation, throughout 
the state ; but also of distant strangers. It should, 
however, be added, that such was the characteristic mod- 
esty and humility of Mrs. McFarland, that her excellen- 
cies were not all visible even to the eyes of familiar ac- 
quaintances. Many things were brought to light after 
her death, which greatly increase our admiration of her 
virtues, and which were not fully known before to all 
the members of her own family. Indeed, the perusal of 
her Memoir will confirm the impression, that her self- 
denial, diligence and perseverance in the duties of the 
christian life, were far greater than her most intimate 
friends ever supposed.* 

* The facts in this Memoir have been collected from every ac- 
cessible source. Much use has been made of Mrs. McFarland's 
diary, which she commenced at about the age of 21 , and continu- 
ed, with occasional intervals, nearly 27 years. Many interesting 
particulars have been furnished by the two eldest daughters, Mrs, 
McMillan of Conway, and Mrs. Buxton of Boscawen. 

1" 



VI PREFACE. 

The main design of this Memoir is to illustrate the 
scriptural truth, that "full assurance of hope" in 
regard to one's own salvation, is the fruit and reward of 
faith in Jesus Christ — the atoning Saviour — combined with 
the diligent practice of every christian duty. 

The fervent prayer of the writer is, that this Memoir, 
in the preparation of which he has found great comfort, 
amidst numerous parochial duties and deep domestic af- 
fliction, may be the means of leading the mothers and 
daughters of our Zion to a more entire consecration of 
their hearts and " ministration of their substance" to 
their adorable Lord — that they may copy the example of 
the " holy women of old," whose faith and works are re- 
corded for their imitation — and finally, in the "full as- 
surance of hope," triumph over the king of terrors ! 
Concord, March, 1839. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

Birth, parentage and incidents in early life. 
Childhood — school at Medford — death of her father — 
" a little plan"— Watts on the mind. 12—25 

CHAPTER II. 

A MORE PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF HER RELIGIOUS EXER- 
CISES FROM CHILDHOOD TO THE AGE OF TWENTY- 
THREE. Early impressions — dangerous sickness — 
prayer-meeting at her mother's — profession of religion 
diary — accountableness to God — Christ the foundation 
— season of affliction — views of divine justice — self- 
examination — sins of the tongue — prayer. 26 — 41 

CHAPTER III. 

Her marriage, and qualifications for her station. 
Views before marriage — prayer for a blessing on her 
new relation — character as a wife — domestic habits — 
desires to be useful — prayers for the people — social 
character — dress — respect for ministers of the gospel. 

41—54 
CHAPTER IV. 

Character as a mother. Dedication of her children 
to God— early instruction — an example of early rising 
— her government and instruction — conversation with 
her daughters — benevolence — Sabbath exercises — 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

piayer with her children — correction — extracts from 
diary— mourns the evil propensities of her children — 
sickness of E. and of S. — concern for temporal support 
— death of a child — affecting prayer for C. 55 — 77 

CHAPTER V. 

Tribute of affection to her parents and only 
brother. Mysterious providences — recollection of 
her father — her mother's ill health and death — deep 
mourning — her brother's death. 78 — 86 

CHAPTER VI. 

Devotional character and exercises. Religion the 
business of her life — remark concerning distressing 
views of sin — extracts from her diary — family cares 
— a wandering sister — good resolves — hope of heaven 
— social prayer — particular prayer — answers to prayer 
— prayer for a revival — adoration and petition — prepa- 
ration for the Sabbath — humbling sense of sin — con- 
ference — love to christians — why prayer is not answer- 
ed — concern for a domestic — her views in sickness — 
revival of religion — pants after holiness— female prayer 
meeting — resolves at the beginning of the year — pre- 
cious bible — sermon to heads of families — sweet season 
of devotion — joy at the foot of the cross — recovery 
from sickness — self forgotten, and God glorified — 
revival in colleges — indwelling sin lamented— birth- 
day — revival in Concord, 1816 — Jesus, all — absence 
from the communion — two young boarders — renewal 
of covenant — grieving the Holy Spirit — a rainy Sab- 
bath — Sabbath school— prayer for Mrs. Rowell — great 



CONTENTS. IX 

peace in believing — fast day — answer to prayer — her 
place of devotion, " the north chamber." 87 — 134 

CHAPTER Vll. 

Letters written during her married life. Female 
prayer meeting, Boston — invitation to personal religion 
— doctrines — the times — death of christians — con- 
formity to the world, millenium — children — fruits of a 
revival — christian warfare — death of Dea. Thomas W. 
Thompson — dismission of Dr. M'Farland — his death. 

135—161 
CHAPTER VIII. 

Her interest in missionary, charitable and re- 
ligious societies. ' The tree is known by its fruit' — 
New-Hampshire Cent Institution — Concord Female 
Charitable Society — Foreign Missions, &c. — gives one 
tenth — u a purse for God" — Concord Female Religious 
Society — other benevolent objects — attempts to write 
a tract — extract from it. 161 — 200 

CHAPTER IX. 

Her labors as a sabbath school teacher. Re- 
luctance to engage— preparation of lessons— specimens : 
The Sabbath — blessedness of those who consider the 
poor — the sin of Nadab and Abihu — duties of wives 
and husbands. Conversation and prayer with members 
of her class. 201—234 

CHAPTER X. 

Extracts from letters written during the last 
seven years of her life. To Mrs. E. M., of 
Boston — reference bible — sailors— zeal for the salvation 



X CONTENTS. 

of sinners — concern for particular individuals — letters 
to her daughter S.— to Rev. Mr. Buxton. 235—258 

CHAPTER XI. 

Interesting particulars illustrative of her re- 
ligious character. Her diary — views of a particu- 
lar providence — religious meetings — remarks on two 
occasions — family worship — seasons of sickness before 
the last — her closet, the garret. 259 — 279 

CHAPTER XII. 
" Full assurance of hope" — or triumph in pros- 
pect of death. The last time she attended public 
worship — the Sabbath a season of comfort — christian 
perfection — Watts' hymns — church fast — benefit from 
prayers — her children visit her — " loving kindness" 
— bright views of the Saviour — growth in grace — 
adorable Trinity — government of God — prays with 
the watchers — fervent prayer for ministers and others 
■ — charity and christian simplicity—theological students 
— dying grace — heaven — great joy — Christ precious- 
preparatory lecture — sacrament administered to her — 
full assurance — great humiliation — last day — death 
— monumental inscription. 280 — 319 



MEMOIR. 



CHAPTER I. 

BIRTH, PARENTAGE. AND INCIDENTS IN EARLY LIFE. 

Mrs. Elizabeth McFarland, consort of the 
late Rev. Asa McFarland,* D. D., of Con- 
cord, N. H., was born in Boston, March 19, 
1780 ; the only daughter of Mr. Bartholomews 
and Mrs. Susanna Sewall Kneeland. Her 
grand father, Samuel Sewall, of York, Maine, 
was a kinsman of the late chief justice Samuel 
Sewall, of Massachusetts, — -a name no less dis- 
tinguished for moral excellence and piety than 
for sound judgment and learning. She had an 
only brother, William, who died in the island 
of Jamaica, August 17, 1809. 

Her father, Mr. Kneeland, was a merchant in 
Boston. Though not a professor of religion, 
he was a man of strict morals ; constant in at- 

* Died 18 February, 1827, aged 57. 
2 



14 MEMOIR. 

tending public worship, and family prayer by 
the use of an approved form. He died April 
19, 1792. Her mother was the subject of reli- 
gious impressions in early childhood. On Mr. 
Whitefield's visit at Portsmouth, she heard him 
preach "with great delight," 4 from the words in 
Jude, 21 v., " Keep yourselves in the love of 
God." She made a public profession of religion 
at about the age of 21. During her residence in 
Boston, Mrs. Kneeland was one of the precious 
band of women who meet weekly for prayer — 
of whom it has been said, they were ' kindred 
spirits with those of our own time — pioneers, on 
whose steps ours are pressing — who prepared 
the way and smoothed some of the roughnesses 
of the path, even of the minister and the mis- 
sionary of our own day. Yes — theirs was a 
day of asking for what we receive, for the spread 
of the gospel and the advancement of the Re- 
deemer's kingdom.' 

This Society of praying women was form- 
ed after Mr. Whitefield's visit to New-England, 
in 1740, and is continued to the present time. 
Mrs. Waters, whose life has been published, 
was the last of the original members. " Here the 
wealthy, the talented, the daughters of poverty 



CHILDHOOD. 15 

but rich in faith, delighted to meet and pour out 
their requests at the throne of grace ; believing 
that they should receive the things they asked 
for — speedily, if best ; but sure, if distant re- 
turns."* 

The following particulars respecting the child- 
hood of Mrs. McFarland were furnished the 
compiler by her daughter, Mrs. Buxton. 

" Mr. Boat on,— -You requested me to com- 
municate what I know of my mother's early 
history. I have learned most of this from her 
own lips, and some from such of her early friends 
as I have been acquainted with. Her parents 
were fond and indulgent, yet firm and decided 
in their government. They had but two chil- 
dren, William and Eliza. She always recollect- 
ed, with lively interest, the instructions and 
prayers of her mother. This excellent parent 
would often take them from their childish amuse- 
ments to her place of retirement, and there plead 
for their salvation. A person who resided in 
the family states, that she took them, in their 
earliest infancy, to this sacred spot, and present- 

* MS. by Mrs. McFarland. See, also, Memoirof Mrs. Waters, 
"by Rev. Mr. Huntington, of Boston. 



16 MEMOIR. 

ed them in her arms to the Friend of children, 
dedicating them to the Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost. 

" They were remarkably regular in all their 
domestic arrangements, especially in those which 
pertained to the keeping of the Sabbath and to 
public worship. They attended the Old South 
Church, — never going to any other from motives 
of curiosity or convenience. Between my moth- 
er and her brother there existed a very strong 
attachment. When in childhood, they attended 
school together, it was remarked by their teacher 
that when he was punished for any violation of 
the rules of school, she was the greatest sufferer 
of the two. 

" She was fond of beholding the beauties of 
nature,-- -always preferring a prospect of the 
ocean, or a ride into the country, to all the va- 
rious objects afforded by the shops of Boston. 
She was occasionally indulged with a visit to her 
maternal relations, who lived in the state of 
Maine ; and through life, even in her last ill- 
ness, loved to tell of the pleasant sights she be- 
held during these excursions. A present from 
a friend, of a nosegay, or even a single rose, al- 
ways filled her with pleasure. She said to me, 



SCHOOL AT MEDFORD. 17 

a few summers since, c I don 't know but it is 
because I grow childish, but the flowers seem to 
me more beautiful and fragrant every year.' 

" She sometimes made a visit to Portsmouth, 
at the house of her uncle Penh allow, who mar- 
ried her father's sister. She always remember- 
ed the faithfulness of this excellent man. He 
would often come to her in the forenoon, saying, 
( Have you prayed in secret to-day V If she 
had not, he would say, l Why not, my child?' 
She would sometimes tell him that her aunt was 
busy, and she stayed to help her. ' Oh, that 
will not do,' he would say, c Go right away, 
leave any thing and every thing, till you have 
attended to this duty.' 

" It was the intention of her parents to pro- 
vide her with the best means of education which 
were then afforded. She appears to have been 
diligent, and fond of study, though she always 
felt that her early school education was superfi- 
cial. She regretted that so much of her time 
was spent in attending to needle work, though 
she never discountenanced the exercise of taste 
and ingenuity, to a moderate extent, in this 
branch of industry. She was sent to a boarding 
school at Medford, kept by Mr. Woodbridge, the 



18 MEMOIR. 

father of William C. Woodbridge, who is now 
distinguished for his efforts to promote the cause 
of education. Here she remained some time, 
and seems to have made good progress in men- 
tal discipline and the acquisition of knowledge. 
When she left school her teacher gave her a 
present, and his thanks, for the good example 
she had set. Her attention was directed to in- 
strumental music ; and though she felt that her 
ear w r as not sufficiently accurate for her to be- 
come a skilful performer, yet by patient attention 
and perseverance she made considerable profi- 
ciency. After leaving school she read with 
avidity such works on the improvement of the 
mind as were then extant. The valuable trea- 
tise by Dr. Watts fell into her hands, and she 
made it her endeavor to pursue the course re- 
commended by that excellent author. 

" Her mind seems always to have been sus- 
ceptible of religious impressions, and her con- 
science to have been very tender. She recol- 
lected, through life, one direct falsehood which 
she told when a child, and said that it cost her 
many a tear. 

" At the age of twelve years, she lost her fa- 
ther. His death was sudden, caused by dropsy 



DEATH OF HER FATHER. 19 

in the chest, symptoms of which appeared a few 
weeks before. It was in the month of April ; 
and she, with a young friend, had been amusing 
herself during the beautiful moonlight evening, 
sometimes sitting in a little arbor, to which they 
had access, anticipating an increase of their en- 
joyments when summer should come ; and some- 
times sitting down in the family circle. Towards 
the close of the evening, her father prepared to 
retire for the night. He went up stairs, support- 
ed by his wife. On reaching the top he faltered 
—and in less than an hour was dead. 

" This event made a deep impression upon 
her tender mind, and increased her concern re- 
specting her spiritual state. She was surprised 
and comforted to see how her dear mother was 
supported through the various trying scenes oc- 
casioned by this afflictive event : exhibiting the 
deep humility of the chastened christian, and at 
the same time attending with fortitude and cheer- 
fulness to the settlement of affairs, and then re- 
suming the business in which they had been 
engaged during his life." 

The manner in which she spent the youthful 
period of life, while her religious character was 



20 MEMOIR. 

forming, may be judged of by the following pa- 
per, found among her writings. Whether ' The 
Little Plan' was original or not, we have not 
the means of knowing ; but it was adopted, by 
signing her name to it. 

" A Little Plan — to regulate the life of a very indo- 
lent girl. 

" Rise in the morning at half past five — spend 
the first hour in devotion — in reading some short 
passage of scripture, and meditating upon it. 
Accustom yourself to express your best thoughts 
on the sentences you read. This will prove a 
means of expanding your mind, and will assist 
you in conversation. Then seek earnestly to 
God, by prayer, for the blessings you need ; for 
the influences of his Spirit, to convince you of 
sin ; your undone condition by nature ; the infi- 
nitely evil nature of sin, and the way of salva- 
tion by Jesus Christ ; for his sanctifying, saving 
grace ; for the temporal blessings you need ; for 
health of body and cheerfulness of mind. Com- 
mit yourself to God — to preserve, guide, and as- 
sist you through the day — to enable you to per- 
form the common duties of it with diligence and 
alacrity — with an eye to his glory. When the 
devotions of the morning are ended, enter with 



" A LITTLE PLAN.' 5 21 

cautious steps into the world — earnestly endea- 
voring to keep up the fear and reverence of the 
Deity on your mind. Attend family devotion 
with fixed attention. — To domestic concerns for 
the first hour after breakfast, with diligence and 
perseverance. Here beware of a morose, unso- 
cial habit. Remember you were not formed for 
yourself alone, but for society. Labor to main- 
tain a cheerfulness in your manners and conver- 
sation. Observe respect and attention to supe- 
riors — affability and kindness to inferiors — con- 
descension and kindness to all with whom you 
may associate. Under this head I would recom- 
mend that you endeavor to suppress pride, and a 
tenaciousness of your own opinions. The next 
half hour to writing ; either copying from some 
favorite author (which will give you ease of 
style and assist you in spelling) or writing let- 
ters, or in committing to writing some of your 
own best observations. When this is done, 
spend the remainder of the forenoon in sewing, 
at the same time in endeavoring to bring the 
mind into a regular train of thinking. The first 
whole or half hour after dinner in reading. Vis- 
iting and receiving good company is no loss of 
time. Before you make your visits, recollect 



22 MEMOIR. 

with what temptations you will be most likely to 
meet, and guard against them. In the evening, 
retire if possible, and review the actions, words, 
and thoughts of the day ; return thanks for the 
mercies received in the day, and commit your- 
self to the protection of heaven. Let your last 
thoughts be as much as possible on your entire 
dependence upon God for every blessing; your 
own unworthiness, the merits and offered salva- 
tion of Christ. This Plan observe every day 
in the week (excepting the Sabbath), only on 
Saturday evenings devote an hour to prayer, in 
returning thanks for the mercies of the past 
week — for the influence of the Spirit on your 
own, and the souls of all your relations, and 
those who are dear to you by any ties or con- 
nection, and for a blessing on the means of 
grace you may enjoy on the following day. On 
Sabbath morning endeavor to rise half an hour 
earlier than on other days ; spend the first hour 
as usual ; the time after, until divine service be- 
gins, as much as is convenient, in reading. Af- 
ter service, some time in committing to writing 
what you have heard, and likewise in the after- 
noon. The remainder of the day as much as 



" WATTS ON THE MIND." 23 

possible in reading. In the evening review the 
actions of the day. Close it with prayer." 

" Eliza Kneeland." 

This paper is without date. It was evidently 
drawn up before her marriage, and presents the 
model of her life. Among her papers is a col- 
lection of " Extracts" from the best authors, 
such as Addison, Watts, Cowper, Thomson, 
Newton, Zimmerman, Mason on Self Know- 
ledge ; also from various Sermons and Books of 
History. The extracts are of a devotional and 
literary character. The following from " Watts 
on the Improvement of the Mind," are so de- 
scriptive of her own habits, and so worthy of 
regard by the young, that I cannot forbear quot- 
ing them : 

" Offer your daily requests to the Father of 
Lights, that he would bless all your attempts 
and labors in reading, study and conversation. 
Think with yourself how easily and insensibly, 
by one turn of thought, he can lead you into a 
large scene of ideas. He can teach you to lay 
hold on a clew which may guide your thoughts 
with safety and ease through all the difficulties 
of an intricate subject. Think how easily the 



24 MEMOIR. 

Author of your being can direct your motions 
by his providence, so that a glance of the eye, 
or a word striking the ear, or a sudden turn of 
the fancy, shall conduct you to a train of happy 
sentiments. By his secret and supreme method 
of government, he can draw you to read such 
a treatise, or converse with such a person, who 
may give you more light upon some deep subject 
in an hour, than you could obtain by a month of 
your own solitary labor. Think with yourself, 
with how much ease the God of your spirits can 
cast into your mind some useful suggestions, 
and give a happy turn to your own thoughts, or 
the thoughts of those with whom you may con- 
verse, whence you may derive unspeakable de- 
light and satisfaction in a matter that has long 
puzzled and entangled you. He can shew you 
a path which the vulture's eye hath not seen, 
and lead you, by some unknown gate or portal, 
out of a wilderness or labyrinth of difficulties, 
wherein you have been long wandering. Fetch 
down some knowledge from the clouds, the stars, 
the sun, the moon, and the revolution of all the 
planets ; dig and draw up some valuable medita- 
tions from the depths of the earth, and search 
them through the vast ocean of waters ; extract 



" WATTS ON THE MIND." 25 

some intellectual improvement from the mine- 
rals and metals ; from the wonders of nature 
among the vegetables, the herbs, the trees and 
the flowers. Learn some lesson from the birds, 
and the beasts, and the meanest insect. Read 
the wisdom of God, and his admirable contriv- 
ance in them all ; read his almighty power ; his 
rich and varied goodness in all the works of his 
hands. From the days and nights, the hours 
and the flying minutes, learn a wise improve- 
ment of time, and be watchful to seize every 
opportunity to increase in knowledge." 



CHAPTER II. 

A MORE PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF HER RELIGIOUS EX- 
ERCISES FROM CHILDHOOD TO THE AGE OF TWENTY- 
THREE. 

As the piety of Mrs. McFarland was the crown- 
ing excellence of her character, I deem it import- 
ant to state all the particulars we know, of the 
commencement, growth and maturity of it : 
" First the blade, then the ear, after that the full 
corn in the ear. ,} Mark 4 : 28. Happily, our infor- 
mation on this part of her history is as full and 
explicit as could reasonably be expected. From 
her own pen, under date of March 10, 1811, we 
have the following unfinished account of her 
early religious impressions : 

" Having for some time been exercised with 
many distressing doubts respecting my spiritual 
estate, 1 have resolved, by divine grace, to pen 
down some account of my life, with the exerci- 
ses of my mind — the better to enable me to 
know whether I have passed from death unto 



28 MEMOIR. 

life, or whether I have deceived myself with a 
' name to live while I am dead. 5 

" The first recollection that I have of any 
thing, was at about the age of three or four 
years, when my dear mother, with her arms 
about me, would tell me of God — his omnis- 
cience — my accountability to him — of heaven 
and hell. These truths would strongly impress 
my mind, and commonly affect me in such a 
manner as to draw tears from my eyes, and in- 
duce me to go alone and pray to God. My sea- 
sons for prayer, however, were accidental : as 
when any calamity threatened myself, or the 
town — as an alarming sickness, or the talk of 
national calamity. Then I would pray for the 
preservation of myself and friends. Commonly 
when reading or hearing of pious children, as 
the Lives in what is called the ' Token for Chil- 
dren, 5 or Edwards 5 ' Phebe Bartlett, 5 I was very 
much affected, and earnestly wished, as I 
thought, to be like them. 

" When about eight years old, I was carried 
by my mother to visit her friends in the District 
of Maine, York being her native place. I sev- 
eral times heard the Rev. Mr. Lyman preach. 
His earnest exhortations to his hearers to choose 



EARLY IMPRESSIONS. 29 

the ways of religion would forcibly impress my 
mind, and lead me to resolve that I would be 
religious. At that time I had no ideas of my 
own insufficiency to be truly so ; but thought it 
would be effected by much prayer to God — by 
abstaining from vanity, and my childish compan- 
ions and amusements, and reading the bible. 
But these resolutions, as they were made in my 
own strength, did not abide much temptation. 
On returning to my native place, my com- 
panions claimed my attention, and my determi- 
nation to be religious was relinquished for that 
time, 

" At twelve years old I was called to bury my 
dear and very affectionate father ; but notwith- 
standing God's visitations toward me, I fell again 
into courses of vanity and folly. My mother 
was continually laboring with me and for me, 
that I might become truly pious, and devote my- 
self to God. I was about that time much engag- 
ed and affected with reading 4 Alleine's Alarm 
to the Unconverted,' ' Boston's Fourfold State/ 
and some other books of the like description ; 
but had no just ideas of the character of God. 
The adorable attributes of his justice, mercy 
and holiness were beyond my comprehension. 



30 MEMOIR. 

This was at the age of from fourteen to sixteen. 
I was laboriously working out a righteousness of 
my own, — which from time to time I found in- 
complete and insufficient. O astonishing stu- 
pidity ! — that at the very time I was reading 
' Boston's Fourfold State/ where this subject is 
so fully and plainly described, and the variety of 
the works of the law pointed out, that I should 
so repeatedly and earnestly endeavor to weave a 
garment of my own righteousness, in which to 
appear before God as a Christian. I am aston- 
ished to review 7 my own stupidity and God's for- 
bearance with me. Somewhere about this time 
I attempted to enter into what I called a Cove- 
nant with God : which was to this effect. I ac- 
knowledged myself a great sinner ; endeavored 
to confess all the sins of my life ; confessed to 
God that I had often resolved against sinning, 
but had broken these resolutions ; — that now I 
did more earnestly resolve against transgression, 
and promised to avoid all sins of thought, word 
and action — and solemnly, on my knees, devoted 
myself to God ; and, if I recollect aright, telling 
the Divine Being that if I did again return to 
sin he might justly cast me off. This Cov- 
enant with God, as 1 called it, did not, however, 



DANGEROUS SICKNESS. 31 

bring me any solid peace. I found that I daily 
broke God's holy law ; and on examining my 
heart more closely, I found that it was wholly 
sinful — filled with sinful thoughts or desires. In 
this way I continued till about the age of twenty 
— sometimes praying, or observing the form of 
private prayer ; at another, neglecting it for 
weeks. I then thought that I was religious; 
but now I can see that my heart was supremely 
devoted to the world. About nineteen or twenty, 
I was visited with the yellow fever, which then 
prevailed in Boston. Many of my acquaintance 
were dying on the right hand and on the left, 
which greatly terrified me. My life was des- 
paired of. I thought, one night in particular, 
that I should die and certainly go to hell ; but 
oh ! God was pleased to spare me, again to re- 
turn to life." 

Here her narrative abruptly closes ; but it 
may be added, that this sickness greatly deepen- 
ed her religious impressions. During the con- 
tinuance of it, though she knew that death was 
making great ravages, yet she was not permitted 
to know who were among its victims, till after 
her recovery — when a list of the deaths was put 
into her hands. Here she saw the names of 



32 MEMOIR. 

many whom she knew and loved, and the inquiry 
arose in her mind, " Why am I spared ?" She 
was much affected by hearing a sermon from the 
words, " Were there not ten cleansed? but ivhere 
are the nine ? There are not found that return- 
ed to give glory to God, save this stranger" 
Luke 17 : 17, 18. It was applied particularly 
to those who had recovered from the' fever. It 
was, however, some time after this before she 
obtained a hope of salvation : " Often," said 
she, " have I gone home from meeting, after 
hearing our minister, Dr. Eckley, preach, say- 
ing to myself, ' Well, his skirts will be clear of 
my blood. If I do not regard these warnings 
and invitations, my condemnation will be just.' " 
One reason, she observed, that she remained so 
long in the dark, was, " We did not have meet- 
ings for inquiry then, and I was afraid to open 
my mind to others. I was ignorant of the na- 
ture of true religion, and especially of the way 
of salvation through Christ." 

" How did you finally obtain comfort ?" — 
" Very gradually ; and among other means I re- 
member these : — My mother used to invite me 
into the female prayer meeting, which, after my 
father's death was held at her house. Among 



PRAYER MEETING. 33 

those who attended, were Mrs. Eustis, wife of 
Gov. Eustis, also the wife of Lt. Gov. Phillips, 
Mrs. Waters and Mrs. Mason. I was so igno- 
rant as to think they were free from sin, and 
were perfect. But one day Mrs. Eustis was 
praying for her children. After she had thanked 
the Lord for them, and permitting her to present 
them to him in covenant, she began to plead for 
their conversion. She besought God, for the 
sake of his covenant, and for the love of the Sa- 
vior in dying for them, not to withhold his Spirit 
on account of her unworthiness and sins. I 
never heard such confessions before. Her tears 
flowed so freely that she could hardly proceed. 
I then thought that if such a good woman had 
reason to lament her sins in such strains, what 
ought I to do. This gave me quite a new view 
of myself and of the nature of religion." " At 
another time, I heard a Christian woman say, 
There is a righteousness wrought out for us hy 
Christ. Thus I gradually learnt my weakness 
and sins, and where to find strength and right- 
eousness. I did not profess religion till I was 
twenty-one ; though probably I should have done 
it sooner, if there had been any means, such as 
are now used, to bring young Christians for- 



34 MEMOIR. 

ward." She united with the Old South church, 
in Boston, in 1801. 

From the foregoing, we cannot fix the date of 
her conversion : nor is that essential in a sound 
religious experience. She was so constantly the 
subject of religious impressions from early child-* 
hood, that the transition from a state of nature 
to a state of grace, was less distinctly visible to 
herself, than under other circumstances it might 
have been. But the genuineness of her piety 
at this period, may be judged of from the fol- 
lowing extracts from her diary — which was 
commenced apparently about the time of her 
making a public profession of religion. 

ACCOUNTABLENESS TO GOD PRAYER. 

"June 19, 1801. — This day I have heard two 
most excellent sermons from Dr. Tappan. O 
may I profit by the means of grace so bounti- 
fully afforded me. O my soul ! thou art now 
about to enter on another week of temptations. 
Remember thou must live as a pilgrim and 
stranger, journeying to another world. Remem- 
ber thou must also give an account of the deeds 
that are done in the body. Remember also that 
an omniscient God not only sees thy most mi- 
nute actions, but witnesses the most secret 



CHRIST THE FOUNDATION. 35 

thoughts and intentions of the heart. O may 
that grace which has kept me from all open and 
infamous crimes, keep me from those sins of 
the mind which are equally odious in the sight 
of a God of spotless purity. O help me, great 
God, to suppress the pride of my heart, to sub- 
due my hasty temper, and not give way to anger 
or malice. Keep me, great God, in thy fear ; 
wash me in the fountain of Christ's blood, and 
accept me for his sake who died for the vilest 
and most guilty." 

CHRIST THE FOUNDATION PRECIOUS PRAYER. 

" Oct. 18, 1801.— I trust through the mercy 
of God, this day has not been wholly lost, though 
I have not made that improvement which my 
God might justly expect and demand of me. O 
most gracious God, I beseech thee not to suffer 
me to deceive myself in the greatest concern 
that can possibly interest a mortal— a probation- 
er for eternity. Let me not build my hopes of 
salvation on my prayers or tears ; any supposed 
degree of attainments, fervor of devotion, or 
reformation of life. But oh ! let my hopes be 
built on the merits, sufferings and death of 
Christ. O ! may his name be more precious to 



36 MEMOIR. 

my soul than any thing beside. May this eter- 
nal Rock of Ages be my foundation. Here I 
will build my hopes, and they shall not be shak- 
en, for the eternal God hath said it. And have 
I such a refuge, and can the frowns or flatteries 
of my fellow worms so much affect me ? Why 
do I not feel a perfect indifference to either ? 
Such is my nature, that I require the soothings 
of affection to draw me to my duty. Is not thy 
God, O my soul, more merciful than thy fellow 
creatures can possibly be ? Perhaps he permits 
them to frown on thee that thou mayest be 
weaned from this world more than thou wouldst 
be were thy smiles courted by them, and thou 
thyself caressed. Estimate not above its worth 
any earthly good. Live a pilgrim amid strangers 
here. Be ready to depart whenever thy eternal 
Sovereign shall call thee home." 

SEASON OF AFFLICTION PRAYER. 

"June 29, 1802— O my soul, blush and be 
ashamed to view thy life for the year past. Little 
progress hast thou made in thy journey to the 
heavenly world ; and there is yet doubt whether 
thou art set forward on a journey to heaven. 
Well may a faithful God visit thee with affliction 



VIEWS OF DIVINE JUSTICE. 37 

for thy sluggishness. Thou art now called to 
trials. How dost thou support them ? Art 
thou murmuring at the sovereign hand that smites 
thee? or art thou humbling thyself before him? 
O bless the Lord, my soul, that he condescends 
to chasten thee. Thou dost need chastening. 
O my God ! for the sake of Jesus Christ, thy 
Son, sanctify this affliction ; give and deny me 
what thou art pleased else, only do not deny me 
the influences of thy Spirit, and an interest in 
thy favor/ 5 * 

VIEWS OF DIVINE JUSTICE— SHORTNESS OF TIME — 
PRAYER. 

" August 15, 1802. — O my soul, retire now 
from the busy world and all its cares, and take 
a view of thyself. Thou art the breath of an 
eternal God. _ Thy being will have no end ; but 
thou wilt forever live in an eternity of happiness 
or misery ! Think how greatly aggravated will 
be thy misery, since thou hast been indulged 
with such means of grace. How just will be 
thy condemnation. If thou dost miss of salva- 
tion, surely the lowest hell will be thy place. 
Art thou fitted for the society of holy beings 

* The kind of affliction here alluded to, is not known. 
4 



38 MEMOIR. 

and for God ? Oh ! search and try thy ways ; 
search thy heart, and see whether thou hast any 
love to the character of an holy God, or wheth- 
er all thy endeavors are only to be freed from 
punishment. Time is ever on the wing ! eter- 
nity will soon absorb it. Hasten to make thy 
calling and election sure ; leave not thy greatest 
interest in an uncertainty. O ! almighty God, 
deign to look with an eye of tender pity upon 
me. Shouldst thou say, What is thy petition ? 
It is not the riches, the honors, or the pleasures 
of life : Give or deny me what of these thou 
art pleased ; but my earnest desire is that thou 
wouldst form my heart for thyself, sanctify it 
with the influences of thy Spirit, shew me the 
infinite evil of sin, and give me true faith in 
Jesus Christ." 

SELF EXAMINATION— PRAYER FOR PARDON— SANC- 
TIFICATION. 

" Feb. 6, 1803. — I have a part on the great 
stage of life to act for him who made me, and to 
him must give an account. Twenty-three years 
have nearly elapsed since I began this part. How 
have I performed it ! O my soul, blush and be 
ashamed to answer this important question as 



SELF EXAMINATION. 39 

thou must. The duties I owe to God I have 
neglected. I have refused to love him, though 
he is worthy of the highest love and adoration 
of every created being, from the seraph that 
burns at his throne to the meanest mortal worm 
of the dust. I have refused obedience to him, 
though my rightful sovereign. I have erred and 
strayed from him, and have been glad when he 
was farthest from my thoughts. The duties I 
owe to Jesus Christ, as my Saviour, whom I have 
professed to follow, T have neglected in such a 
manner as might bring odium on his religion. 
The duties I owe to my fellow creatures, I have 
basely neglected. Superiors, inferiors and equals 
have not received from me what I owe them, 
and what my conscience dictates I should per- 
form. O ! almighty God, I acknowledge my 
sinfulness. Thou mightest justly cut me down 
as a cumberer of thy ground. But where shall 
I go but unto thee ? O grant me the influences 
of thy Spirit, to convince me of sin ; to illumi- 
nate my understanding, that I may contemplate 
thy character and perfection ; to make me feel 
more sensibly my distance from thee — the ruins 
of my nature — the depravity of my heart, and 
the odiousness of sin, as opposed to the purity 



40 MEMOIR. 

of thy nature. Restore thy lost image upon my 
soul ; write thy laws and imprint thy statutes 
upon my heart ; renew my nature ; sanctify all 
the powers and faculties of my soul ; give me to 
feel my wretchedness ; give me faith in the 
merits of Christ, and for his sake accept me." 

LAMENTS SINS OF THE TONGUE PRAYER FOR 

GRACE. 

"March 12, 1803. — Oh my soul, take a view 
of the sins and follies into which thou hast fallen 
since the above was written, that thou mayest the 
better avoid them for time to come. Secret 
prayer frequently omitted — consequently many 
errors in my conduct towards my fellow crea- 
tures. Oh ! detraction has dwelt on my tongue ! 
I have secretly .wounded the reputation of my 
neighbor ; and though I only assented to what 
others said, at first, yet by degrees was led to 
mention several things to the disadvantage of 
the absent, — which perhaps were true, yet why 
should I repeat them 1 By so doing, I only im- 
pressed them more strongly on my mind, which 
lessened my love and esteem for the person, and 
injured my own happiness. O let me learn in 
future to be as tender of the reputation of an 



HER MARRIAGE. 41 

injured brother as of his life ; and rather be 
thought unsocial, than speak to the injury 
of any. O my God ! look with a pitying eye on 
the weakest and most unworthy of thy creatures 
— and for Christ's sake extend me thy gracious 
aid." 



CHAPTER III. 

HER MARRIAGE — AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR HER STATION. 

In September, 1803, she was united in mar- 
riage with the Rev. Dr. McFarland,* and im- 
mediately removed from Boston to the residence 
of her husband, in Concord. Her views previ- 
ous to entering into this connection were such as 
became a young Christian, and may properly be 

* She was the third wife of Dr. McFarland. He first married 
Miss Clarissa Dwight, of Belchertown, Mass., — who died 
October 23d, 1799, of puerperal fever, aged thirty-two years, her 
child surviving but a few days. His second wife was Miss Nancy 
Dwight, of the same place, — who died in about two months 
after their marriage. They were both excellent women and much 
esteemed. 

4* 



42 [ MEMOIR. 

mentioned, as worthy of imitation. Under date 
of July 3, 1803, she writes in her diary — 

"Now it seems the will of Divine Providence 
that I should connect myself with one who ap- 
pears to be his real and faithful servant. This 
great change I hope I have maturely deliberated 
upon ; and think I have followed the leadings of 
Providence in deciding. But O, I dread, by be- 
ing placed in a more conspicuous station, to 
bring greater odium on religion. 

" O almighty God, whose omnipresent eye 
witnesses this transaction, I entreat thee to look 
with pity upon me, through Jesus, thy Son, and 
accept my thanks for the blessing of the friend- 
ship of thy servant; and teach me my depend- 
ence upon thee for the continuance of this and 
every other blessing. In thine own time perfect 
what appears to be thy begun work concerning 
us — unite us in the nearest and tenderest con- 
nection. 

" But O, let me appeal to thee : Is not the 
language of my heart, Bring me not into it, 
unless thou make me a blessing to thy servant, 
and wilt enable me to honor thy name ! ' Hold 
thou me up and I shall be safe.' Come over the 
mountains of my guilt and the hills of my ini- 



HER MARRIAGE. 43 

quity, and grant me thy blessing for thy great 
name's sake, through Jesus Christ. Accept the 
dedication that I make of myself to thee ; of all 
that I am and have, to advance thy glory. Give 
or deny me what thou seest best for me ; only 
deny me not thy favor, and form me for thyself." 

Entering the marriage relation with such 
views, we should be greatly disappointed were 
she not a " blessing" to her husband, and an 
" honor" to religion ! Her new connection 
placed her in the midst of a large parish, which 
then extended over the whole town, and intro- 
duced her to an acquaintance with ministers of 
the gospel in every part of the state. To fulfil 
all her duties as a Christian, in this station, 
was her constant aim and earnest prayer. 

In the first entrance in her diary, after her 
marriage, June 30, 1805, she says : " I must 
adore the faithfulness and patience of an un- 
changing God, in whom I hope I have trusted, 
and (by his grace) at times sincerely desired to 
honor and serve. Notwithstanding my innume- 
rable backslidings, and sins of thought, word 
and action, he has been a faithful, covenant- 
keeping God. He has united me with his ser- 
vant, whose office it is to dispense the word of 



44 MEMOIR. 

life, and to be an ambassador for Christ ; and 
though I have reason to be ashamed of my ig- 
norance and misimprovement of advantages, yet 
I hope it has been a source of some improve- 
ment, through the divine blessing. Unto my 
other mercies God has added this desired one, 
of giving me a son ; making me the living mo- 
ther of a living and perfect child ; sparing his 
life to this time. O God, help me by thy grace 
to devote this and all my other possessions to 
thee ; to view them as thine — my husband, my 
child, myself, and all that I hold in life, I now 
desire to dedicate to thee. I will trust thy grace 
through the blessed Jesus to enable me to be 
faithful to every relative in society, and to ena- 
ble me to live more devoted to thee than I have 
ever been." 

During the twenty-four years of her married 
life, she was a pattern of conjugal fidelity, love 
and obedience. In conformity with scripture 
examples and precepts, she reverenced her hus- 
band, and sought in all things to please him. 
1 Pet. 3 : 1—6. Eph. 5 : 33. 1 Cor. 7 : 44. 
1 She did him good and not evil, all the days of 
his life.' She was truly ' a crown unto her hus- 
band 5 , — and on her account, not less than on his 



DOMESTIC HABITS 45 

own, was 'he known in the gates, as he sat 
among the elders of the land." Prov. 12 : 4. 
31 : 12, 13. The whole of Solomon's descrip- 
tion of a virtuous woman (Prov. 31 : 10 — 31) 
aptly applies to her. Generally, when in health, 
she rose as early as 4 o'clock in the morning, 
and after her season of private devotion, engag- 
ed in domestic duties. Her industry, economy 
and frugality were almost proverbial among the 
people. But these w r ere as much the fruit of 
her religious principles, as was her strict attend- 
ance on devotional exercises. She thought it a 
sin to be idle or wasteful, and often laments, in 
her diary, a proneness to self-indulgence and 
sloth. It was a rule with Dr. McFarland to 
bring his expenses within his income, and never 
run in debt ; and as his salary was moderate,* 
rigid economy was requisite, in order to defray 
necessary expenses, and at the same time prac- 
tice the hospitality which his public situation 
rendered suitable. With these views of her 
husband she coincided, — and she labored by in- 
dustry on her part to gain, and by economy to 
save, all she could, in order that their hospitality 

* Three hundred and fifty dollars a year — to which, towards 
the close of his ministry, one hundred dollars were added, 



46 MEMOIR. 

and charity might be coextensive with their pos- 
sible means. 

But her greatest desire was to be a " help- 
meet" to her husband in the duties and trials of 
his office as a minister of Christ. Her diary 
affords abundant evidence that he was the sub- 
ject of her daily prayers — especially, that on the 
Sabbath, she was very importunate in her peti- 
tions that the Holy Spirit might aid him in 
preaching, and crown the word with success. 
At one time she says : " Why am I desirous to 
be made faithful to my husband and the society 
with which I am connected? Surely if I desire 
any thing, I do that a preached gospel may be 
blessed in this place ; and that God will work 
by whom he will work, and by what means : yet 
I must desire and do heartily, that my dear hus- 
band may be the instrument — nevertheless, not 
my will, but God's." 

Again : " Be pleased, O Lord, to give me 
grace that I may honor thee in life ; that I may 
receive wisdom from thee, to form me a help- 
meet for my companion — a faithful head of a 
family, and a blessing to the society with which 
I am connected." 

" Have found much enlargement in praying 



DESIRES TO F,E USEFUL. 47 

for my dear husband — that he may be more and 
more faithful to the people committed to his 
charge ; that he may clear his shirt from the 

blood of souls." " Have been engaged 

for a blessing on our conjugal relation. O that 
I might be the companion and help-meet of this 
servant of Christ — a joy and crown to him. If 
left to myself, I shall be ' as rottenness in the 
bones.' " 

These are specimens of the prayers which 
she habitually offered to God in behalf of her 
husband. 

Similar were her desires and prayers, that she 
might be a blessing to the church and society 
with which she was connected. These were not 
confined to a few of the first years of her resi- 
dence among them, nor called forth on particu- 
lar occasions, but were habitual, and as lasting 
as her life. 

In a letter to a friend, Miss H — — , of Boston, 
Aug. 3, 1805, she says : " Since I have been 
introduced to a new circle of friends, my time 
has been so wholly engrossed, that, although my 
thoughts are much with those I have left, yet I 
have felt that I could not spend the time in writ- 
ing them, without neglecting some more imme- 



48 MEMOIR. 

diate duty. I am situated with a society that is 
in many respects very agreeable There are 
many whom I think excellent examples of piety ; 
but it is here as is generally the case — religion 
is almost confined to the aged.* I feel our de- 
pendence on the divine Spirit, to breathe his 
blessed influence on my own heart and those 
around me. Could I see these dry bones stand- 
ing up to praise God, and many coming forward 
to join themselves in covenant with him, I think 
it would put more gladness in my heart than the 
acquisition of any worldly good. I have, of all 
others, to lament my barrenness and unprofita- 
bleness in our Lord's vineyard. Oh ! my friend, 
will you pray for me, that while placed as ' a 
city on a hill, 5 I may not bring odium on reli- 
gion/' 

Aug. 17, 1806, she says : " I resolve, through 
divine grace assisting me, to maintain a more 
constant watch over myself, that my conversation 
at all times may be such as becomes my profes- 
sion. I desire of God wisdom that I may walk 
before this people in a right way. I am as a 
little child, not knowing how to come in or to 

* Happily this state of things was greatly changed before her 
death. 



PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE. 49 

go out. Almighty God, enable me to look by 
faith to Jesus Christ, as my righteousness, and 
strength, and all." 

The following from her diary at a later period, 
Sept. 6, 1815, is a precious and affecting speci- 
men of her love to the souls around her ; and 
cannot fail to touch cords of tenderness in the 
hearts of those who still live, that were then the 
subjects of her prayers. " To day I resolved 
to devote some time to prayer for this dear peo- 
ple, and think God has enabled me to wrestle 
with him again for them ; — for a fresh unction 
on my very dear husband, as their pastor ; who 
will one day appear with them at the awful tri- 
bunal of God, as a witness for or against every 
soul which has been committed to his care ; — for 
God's own children, that he would pour upon 
them a spirit of grace and supplication, that they 
may be crying in secret places for the abomina- 
tions of the land and for a revival here ; — for 
the dear young people who are seeking their 
chief good from the vanities of the world, insen- 
sible that their feet stand on slippery places, 
ready to slide into eternal ruin. And I think 
God has enabled me to plead with him for the 
dear children and youth in our schools, and for 
5 



50 MEMOIR. 

their instructors. Blessed be his name for the 
freedom and importunity afforded. I seemed 
straitened by nothing but the feeble state of my 
body. Some particular friends were much on 
my heart, and shared largely in my requests, 
both in this and my native place." * * * 

Mrs. McFarland greatly endeared herself to 
the society with which she was connected, by 
her social qualities. Modest and unassuming in 
her deportment; simple and affable in her man- 
ners; in conversation easy, instructive and often 
sprightly ; with the law of kindness on her 
tongue, and the charity which " thinketh no 
evil/' in her heart, her company was agreeable to 
every class. She could converse, as an equal, 
with the educated and affluent ; and with the 
poor and ignorant, without seeming to be their 
superior. In consequence of her domestic cares 
and duties she could visit but little among the 
families of the parish, with her husband ; yet 
when she did, there was so much gentleness and 
kindness in her manners; such true sympathy 
with them in all their joys and sorrows ; such 
an evident regard for their spiritual welfare, that 
her visits were remembered with pleasure, and a 
renewal of them eagerly desired. Though as a 



SOCIAL CHARACTER DRESS. 51 

christian she valued conversation on religious 
subjects above all others, yet she thought it right 
to maintain a free social intercourse with those 
among whom she was placed. She accordingly 
made and received social visits, and seemed to 
enjoy much happiness in them ; but here, as 
every where else, she appeared as a christian : 
carefully avoiding levity and vain and trifling 
conversation, and never speaking evil of the ab- 
sent. It was a striking trait in her social charac- 
ter, that without seeming, or intending to flatter, 
she would always leave an impression on the 
minds of those with whom she conversed, that 
she thought well of them. This, in the fashion- 
able world, might be called politeness ; but with 
her it was charity. As she felt kindly towards 
others ; was guileless and unsuspicious herself 
— so her conversation awakened no other than 
pleasing associations in their minds. 

In dress she was a pattern of christian sim- 
plicity; strictly following the apostolic injunc- 
tion, " that women adorn themselves in modest 
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety ; not 
with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly 
array ; but (which becometh women professing 
godliness,) with good works." 1 Tim. 2 : 9, 10. 



52 MEMOIR. 

1 Pet. 3 : 3, 4. The ornament which she always 
wore — and the only one which ever attracted 
the notice of others, was that " of a meek and 
quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of 
great price." 

HER RESPECT FOR MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. 

It has already been observed that her station 
in life introduced her to an acquaintance with 
ministers of the gospel in every part of the state. 
This was owing to the circumstance, that as Dr. 
McFarland was for many years the only clergy- 
man in Concord, those ministers who attended 
the annual Convention in June, and those who 
had business to transact with the New-Hampshire 
Missionary Society, found it convenient to call 
at his house. As treasuress, moreover, of the 
New-Hampshire Cent Institution, of which a 
particular account will be given hereafter, Mrs. 
McFarland was personally known to most of the 
older ministers in the state. How highly she 
valued their society, and how humble her esti- 
mate of herself, will appear from the following 
extracts from her diary. 

July 23, 1809. " I am continually mourning 
that I have not courage to converse with the 



RESPECT FOR MINISTERS. 53 

ministers of Christ. They have different gifts, 
and had I power to make suitable inquiries, 
might gain much improvement from them. 
Heavenly Father, may it please thee to give me 
this grace." 

June 10, 1815. " 1 bless God for this week, 
in which I have been indulged with an oppor- 
tunity of waiting on some of the servants of 
Jesus Christ; — of hearing much improving con- 
versation, and sharing largely in an interest in 
their prayers. O ! when I see how much is 
acquired of intellectual improvement, I feel 
abased to the dust, and seem more properly to 
rank among a species of the brute creation, than 
the human. May I be truly penitent before God, 
for the misimprovement of early advantages. 
O ! for quickening grace. This afternoon a 
precious opportunity to converse with christian 
friends ; sweet season — O what will heaven be ! 
All day improving society — a week of delight. 5 ' 

June 8, 1817. " In the past week have had 
the privilege of waiting on some of the servants 
and ministers of Christ — a season for improve- 
ment : — But I am often ready to question the 
wisdom of my heavenly Father in placing one 
so stupid and ignorant in a situation that might 



54 MEMOIR. 

have been occupied by one that would do much 
for his honor. This has been an occasion for 
discovering much of my innate depravity — how 
much envy towards those endowed with superior 
gifts and attainments- — how much ignorance and 
pride have I found to hinder improvement. O, 
thou great Source of wisdom and grace, conde- 
scend to illuminate my mind with some ray of 
divine light, sufficient to dissipate the mist that 
envelopes my understanding. Thou hast pro- 
mised this gift to those who ask it : manifest thy- 
self in this a prayer-hearing God, to this most 
unworthy of thy creatures!" 

On these extracts it may be remarked, that 
Mrs. McFarland was doubtless the only one who 
discovered the deficiencies which she so humbly 
deplores. Though in conversation with minis- 
ters she usually appeared like a learner, seeking 
instruction by questions ; yet so sensible were 
her own remarks on topics of a practical and 
experimental character, that ministers felt them- 
selves edified ; and often remembered, in order 
to repeat them, for the benefit of others. 



CHAPTER IV 



CHARACTER AS A MOTHER. 



Mrs. McFarland was the mother of eight 
children ; three sons and five daughters — seven 
of whom still survive. The first act, after the 
birth of a child, was to express devout gratitude 
to God and devote it to him : Then she desired 
her husband to be called and offer a prayer of 
thanksgiving. As soon as circumstances would 
permit, the child was presented in the church 
for baptism. As God was her God in covenant, 
she also claimed a covenant relation for her chil- 
dren, esteeming it a sacred duty, as well as great 
privilege, to make a public consecration of them 
to him. This was done in some instances be- 
fore she had recovered sufficient strength to 
attend public worship herself; and at others as 
soon as she was able to go out.* But it w T as 



* One of her children was born on Saturday night, when she 
pleasantly remarked, — ' How I should rejoice to have my dear 
babe carried to the house of God to receive the seal of the cove- 
nant on its first Sabbath in this world.' 



56 MEMOIR. 

never deferred, as is too often done by many 
parents, for several months, or even some years 
after the birth. 

In delineating the character of Mrs. McF. as 
a mother, I am particularly indebted to the two 
oldest daughters, for most of the facts ; and shall 
first present their " recollections' 5 of her, in their 
own language, and then add such other particu- 
lars as may be relied on.; 

Mrs. Buxton says : " She began to talk to her 
children about God, in their infancy, before she 
was certain that they could understand any thing 
on the subject. She would sit down at the 
table, with her child in her arms, and her large 
bible before her, and seek to convey to its mind, 
by simple language, some instruction. Finding 
it was easy to render bible stories interesting to 
children, she endeavored to draw r out some in- 
struction from every one she told us. She spent 
some time with us, every Sabbath, after meeting, 
when we read the bible, recited a portion of the 
Assembly's Catechism, and gave some account 
of the sermons. This practice was not discon- 
tinued after the Sabbath School was established ; 
— for though she felt that this institution afforded 



AN EARLY RISER. 57 

children and youth a precious opportunity for 
receiving instruction, she thought it was still the 
duty and privilege of parents to retain their hold 
upon the tender mind, and to be no less diligent 
in their efforts. She remarked, that Sabbath 
Schools should not supersede parental instruc- 
tion, though parents might feel themselves very 
poorly qualified for the performance of their ap- 
propriate duties. When we attended a week- 
day school, she went over our lessons with us 
every morning. And when we advanced to high- 
er studies than were taught in schools when she 
was young, she endeavored to qualify herself, by 
study, for the same duty ; and she succeeded so 
well, that there was no danger of our getting the 
impression that we knew more than our mother, 
upon any subject. 

" So far as her health would permit, she was 
uniformly an early riser. She found it easier to 
do this, when her system was braced by the cold 
of winter, than when enfeebled by the heat of 
summer. I do not know that she was ever able 
to rise at a fixed hour, for any length of time ; 
but think that, till within a few years, from four 
to six was her time during the cold season. In 
summer, she generally rose before the sun, though 



58 MEMOIR. 

she was often too feeble for much mental or bodily 
effort. It. is already understood, that a large 
portion of these early hours was devoted to prayer 
and reading the scriptures. When she began 
the day in this manner, she said she was sweetly 
prepared for its cares and its trials. After this 
preparation, her first business was generally to 
call her children. I seem even now, to hear her 
light step, as she came to our chamber, and her 
animated, cheerful voice calling us, — ' Come lit- 
tle girls, don't you want to get up ;' — accompa- 
nying her invitation with some quotation, per- 
haps from our infant hymns, or from Thomson, 
or her favorite Cowper, or from the bible, ap- 
propriate to the morning. Once, when she was 
obliged to come the second time, she said, ' You 
will make but a cipher in society if you do not 
rise early. 7 A few years ago, her attention was 
directed to the various examples of early rising, 
found in the bible. She was greatly interested 
in the fact, that in most of the instances given, 
the individual rose to the performance of some 
great or good action. She examined all these 
examples, from that of Abraham, when he com- 
menced his painful journey to the land of Mo- 
riah, to the women who went early to the sepul- 



EARLY RISING. 59 

chre, to pay the tribute of affection to their cru- 
cified Lord. 

" On the Sabbath, she rose at an earlier hour ; 
and I believe that at these seasons she never 
failed to have the presence of her risen Saviour, 
very often to comfort her, by his Spirit, and if 
not, to awaken her to greater earnestness in 
prayer, and more fervent desires for his sanctify- 
ing grace. Owing to this habit of rising, she 
was enabled to arrange her domestic concerns so 
as to secure order and quiet during the sacred 
hours of the day. Even while her children were 
young, and her cares numerous, we were never 
late at meeting, or hurried and confused in or- 
der to be there in season. I do not remember 
the time, except when our dear mother was con- 
fined to her room by sickness, that we were not 
quietly seated with our books, some time before 
the ringing of the bell. Every thing necessary 
to our cleanliness and comfort was done the eve- 
ning before. 

" The winter after my father's death she was 
persuaded to omit the practice of rising thus 
early, for several successive Sabbaths. Her 
friends represented to her, that as the weather 
was very cold, and her family required less of 



00 



her time and attention than formerly, it was her 
duty to take more hours for rest. She soon be- 
gan to feel the want of these preparatory sea- 
sons, and said she should not again conform to 
our wishes. The next Sabbath she rose before 
four in the morning, and afterwards told us, with 
much satisfaction, how different the day seemed; 
how pleasant the faces of the people of God, and 
how sweet the voice of the preacher. ' I could 
in truth say,' she remarked, 

1 How charming was his voice, 
1 How sweet the tidings were.' 

"The time for retiring was not far from ten 
in the evening, and much of the time, earlier. 
She loved the quiet enjoyment she could have 
when the labors of the day were ended ; but it 
was my father's wish that the family should 
retire early, and she loved to conform to his 
wishes, as long as she lived. 

" In her government, she was firm, and I think 
would generally be considered strict. She made 
more use of the rod, in the management of her 
older children, than afterwards ; though she never 
thought it could be entirely dispensed with. 
When about to administer corporeal punishment, 
she sometimes represented to us the necessity of 



INSTRUCTION OF HER CHILDREN. 61 

it, by saying that if these evil tempers were not 
checked in season they might lead to the com- 
mission of dreadful crimes. We were governed, 
much of the time, by her eye, which followed us 
with a gentle, yet commanding influence. Her 
portrait is said by her friends generally to be 
wanting in sweetness of expression. Perhaps it 
is so, but it will speak, I think, to her children, 
of the care and solicitude with which she watched 
over them. In her conversation with us, she 
endeavored always to interest us, and to lead to 
some profitable reflections. She was always 
ready to enter into our amusements, and she 
made it her object to render them a source of 
improvement. In this way, she kept up so much 
familiarity with us, that I think we were never 
backward to make her our ( confidential friend.' 
" She, of course, told us much about Boston 
and its vicinity; its early history; invasion by 
the British ; desecration of the Old South church, 
&c, together with an account of her journeys 
from Boston to York, which we thought were 
full of wonderful incidents ; the history of great 
and good men, — pointing out what was worthy of 
imitation in their character. She sometimes re- 
lated to us the history of ungodly families that 
6 



62 MEMOIR. 

had come within the sphere of her observation, 
which seemed prosperous for a time, though they 
neglected the commands and ordinances of God 
— but in a few years, all, or nearly all, were 
swept away ; illustrating the words of the Psalm- 
ist, ' I have seen the wicked] &,c. And it was 
with lively satisfaction that she told us of the 
permanent happiness of families that were brought 
up in the fear of the Lord. She often spoke of 
the early piety for which some of her youthful 
associates were distinguished, and would portray 
these characters in all their loveliness. 

" When alone with her daughters, she was 
careful to give them such instruction as was more 
particularly adapted to them. She taught them 
that an intercourse with refined society was highly 
desirable, and that in order to secure it many 
things were requisite which might seem unim- 
portant, were it not for the consideration that an 
attention to little things was highly necessary in 
the formation of character. She endeavored 
to form a correct taste for dress. Any improper 
arrangement of colors in a lady's dress she 
considered a defect, and would speak of it to us, 
thinking it right to do so, though she was verycare- 
ful about saying any thing calculated to lessen our 



ENCOURAGEMENT TO BENEVOLENCE. 63 

respect for any of her acquaintance. Any devi- 
ation from the rules of propriety she would no- 
tice in the same manner. But I ought to say, 
she much oftener pointed out what was beauti- 
ful and worthy of imitation, than what was to 
be avoided. 

" The feeble state of her health led her to feel 
that she might be taken from us ; and she often 
told how she wished us to conduct should such 
an event take place ; while we heard such in- 
structions with aching hearts, washing she would 
never allude to such a subject. 

" She endeavored to lead us all to the per- 
formance of benevolent acts, by putting us in a 
way to do something for the relief of the needy 
and suffering. When she visited the houses of 
the poor, she would take some of us with her. 
If she was sent by the Charitable Society to visit 
a poor family at a distance, she would go on 
Saturday afternoon, taking as many of us as 
she could ; and afterwards would hush many 
a childish complaint, by telling us to com- 
pare our situation with that of the boys and girls 
we had seen in these excursions, She encour- 
aged us to acts of self-denial for the sake of do- 
ing good, — such as giving up the use of sugar 



64 MEMOIR. 

or some other comfort, and appropriating the 
money allowed for it to some benevolent object. 
She joined us in these acts of self-denial, and if 
any one did not feel equal to such a sacrifice, 
there was no compulsion. She once encouraged 
two of us to put our names to a subscription 
paper, obligating ourselves to pay the sum sub- 
scribed in the course of a few weeks. We hap- 
pened to have no pocket money at the time, and 
she was careful to give us none, while we were left 
to wonder how we were to discharge the obliga- 
tion. If we said any thing to her, she would 
say, ' You must pray for the money, and perhaps 
God will answer your prayer. 5 At last, she in- 
quired if we were willing to do something by 
which we might earn the sum required. We said, 
' Oh, yes ;' and she told us of something we 
might do in the family, for which she would pay 
us, and in this way we were enabled to meet the 
subscription. 

" But in all her intercourse with us, she sought 
most earnestly to lead us to a right understand- 
ing of the truths of the gospel, and to a convic- 
tion that nothing but an interest in the pardon- 
ing blood of Christ could give us peace. She 
presented these subjects in every point of light : 



SABBATH DEVOTIONS. 65 

laid before us every scriptural motive to repent- 
ance and a holy life, and accompanied her in- 
structions with many prayers and tears, which 
we witnessed. So intense were her desires for 
our salvation, that I often wished I was a chris- 
tian, if it were merely to make her happy. 

" Her stated time for praying with us, was on 
Sabbath evening, during the catechetical exerci- 
ses to which I have alluded. Her prayers were 
then fervent, and suited to our capacities. She 
took one or two of us apart, for the purpose of 
private prayer, whenever she thought best ; for 
instance, if we were sick, or in any way afflicted, 
or were guilty of any particular fault which re- 
quired correction. I was much impressed by 
her faithfulness in these duties ; — and when in 
childhood I heard from the pulpit the words, 
' And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy 
children, and shalt talk of them ichen thou sit- 
test in thine house, and when thou ivalkest by 
the icay, and when thou liest down, and when 
thou riest up' — the thought immediately pre- 
sented itself, that my mother had done so. Much 
more affecting and solemn was my impression on 
hearing one of her remarks, the Sabbath eve- 
ning previous to her death. When asked what 



66 MEMOIR. 

messages she would send to her absent children, 
whom she would not probably live to see, — 
' What can I say V she replied : ' I do not know 
as I can add any thing to what I have always 
been saying to them.' " 

Mrs. McMillan says: "The practice of our 
mother, after instructing us on the Sabbath, was 
to take us up chamber, or into some private 
room, and converse with us one by one ; then 
pray for each of us by name, and dismiss us with 
a kiss. She generally conversed with us with 
tears in her eyes — told us about God, the Saviour 
and heaven ; how dreadful a thing it was to 
sin against God ; and the misery of the wicked 
in another world ! She dwelt much upon the 
sufferings and love of Christ for sinners. Be- 
sides teaching us to say the usual prayer for chil- 
dren, night and morning, she learnt us other 
short forms of prayer, and urged us much to pray 
in our own language, for what we wanted our 
heavenly Father to give us. This practice she 
continued till the older children were grown up. 
In addition to this, she observed the birth-day 
of each of her children, as a day of fasting and 
prayer for them."* 

* This was her practice before the Maternal Association was 
formed, which enjoins it on the members. 



GOVERNMENT OF CHILDREN PRAYER. (57 

There was a peculiarity in her mode of cor- 
rection, which is worthy of imitation. She 
never punished a child immediately after a fault 
was committed ; but promised it correction at 
a future time. This had the two-fold good ef- 
fect, of allaying any passionate feelings in her 
own breast, and of leading the child to reflection 
and repentance. When the time for correction 
arrived, she went alone, or with the child, and 
prayed — then explained the nature and aggrava- 
tion of the offence committed, inflicted the cor- 
rection, and usually prayed again for forgiveness 
and God's blessing on the child. Such a mode 
of correction did not need to be often repeated. 

The interest she felt in all that pertained to 
the welfare of her children, especially her anxi- 
ety and prayers for their conversion, will be best 
exhibited in extracts from her diary. 

March 26, 1809. " I mourn this evening the 
corrupt propensities of my children ! What shall 
I do ? May I in faith bring them to Jesus ! 
Blessed Saviour, change and sanctify their hearts. 
Give to thy unworthy handmaid, wisdom, reso- 
lution, meekness and love, that I may be better 
qualified for the station in which thou hast placed 
me, as a wife, a parent, the head of a family, 



68 MEMOIR. 

and member of society, a follower of Jesus, a 
child of God." 

Nov. 15, 1812. " Have had some freedom in 
bringing my dear children to God in prayer. 
These dear creatures, which I have (as Mrs. 
Ramsey observes,) ' brought into a world of sin 
and sorrow without their consent ;' — how can I 
answer it to them, if I do not bring them to the 
Saviour of sinners, and entreat him to interest 
them in his righteousness." 

June 14, 1813. " To-day I have been detained 
from God's house by the sickness of my dear 

E . This circumstance leads me to reflect 

on my unfaithfulness to my children ! How 
often have they witnessed angry feelings in me, 
when forbearance and meekness were requisite. 
If God visits the sins of the parents upon the 
children, may I not expect that these evil pas- 
sions will be exhibited by mine, when I am sleep- 
ing in the dust ! O may God of his infinite mercy 
forgive me the past, and give me strength and 
grace for time to come." 

June 21. " My dear E has been very 

sick the past week. I did not know but what 
God was bringing me to a new trial — that of 
taking a final leave of one of my children. But 



PRAYERS FOR HER CHILDREN. 69 

she is better : Blessed be his faithfulness, who 
has mingled so much mercy with this trial. May 
this spared life be devoted to thee, O my com- 
passionate Father ! I would renewedly dedi- 
cate this child : She is thine by every obligation 
but that of her own voluntary surrender ;— and 
as the head and guardian of my child, I would 
now act for her. I give her to thee, to dispose 
of as thine infinite wisdom and mercy sees fit. 
I ask not for her riches or honors, the pleasures 
of this world, or long life ; but I ask for thy 
grace to renovate her soul. This is my request." 

Nov. 7* "I have found some comfort in 
instructing my children and witnessing their 
improvement. How easy for omnipotent grace 
to change the hearts of these dear babes, and to 
perfect his praise from their lips. O my God, I 
present them to thee ; make them thine by a 
gracious act of sanctification." 

June 21, 1814. " The chastening rod of my 
heavenly Father has been exercised over me, 
and I have learned someting of his sovereignty 
and power. My dear S. (this pleasant child) has 
been laid on a bed of sickness, which we all ex- 
pected would be the bed of death. My God 
seemed to design that my trial should be sufii- 



70 MEMOIR. 

cient to subdue all my obduracy : For several 
days she was given over by our physician, when 
His power was displayed in rescuing her from 
the jaws of death, and restoring to me this dear 
object of my affection. O, I pray that her 
spared life may be devoted to him. O, that 
this dispensation might be sanctified to each of 
my children." 

Sept. 6, 1815. "The Lord knows with what 
anguish and bitterness of soul 1 have endeav- 
ored this day to confess my own sins and those 
of my children, who seem to inherit all theirs from 
their mother. I consider myself as the root from 
whence they have derived those tempers and 
passions which I often witness in them. How 
can I remain one moment at ease, while view- 
ing them or any member of my family alienated 
from God ? I bring them all this day, and place 
them at the mercy seat of God, in the arms of 
my faith." 

March 19, 1816. " I feel dissatisfied with 
every part of my character ; with the manner in 
which I sustain every relation — but with none 
more than maternal duties. O, how little do I 
perform for my children, of w T hat I ought to do. 
j O, thou great Jehovah, God of all grace, make 



THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. 71 

me faithful ; make me holy, and I shall be happy." 
During the years 1816 and 1817, Mrs. Mc- 
Farland repeatedly alludes in her diary to her 
concern for temporal comforts, and clothing for 
her children. It will be remembered that these 
were years of great scarcity throughout New Eng- 
land. Provisions were cut off by the frost, and 
prices were very high. Yet the salary of the 
minister remained the same. The consequence 
was that Dr. McFarland's rule to make ' the 
ends of the year meet,' straitened them in tem- 
poral support. His practice was to commit to 
his wife a given sum, each year, with which she 
was to purchase clothing for herself and chil- 
dren. This sum, in ordinary years, was suffi- 
cient ; but in times of scarcity and high prices, 
it fell short. 

April 13, 1816. " I have been tempted to 
question God's faithfulness in providing for my 
large family, and am still much exercised with 
anxious cares respecting it. Infinite Parent ! 
help me to confide in that unmerited goodness 
which has always provided for me and mine. May 
thine opening hand, which feeds the ravens and 
supplies thy whole creation, be extended for my 
dear family. Let not my ingratitude provoke 



72 



thee to forsake them. Oh, in this time of scar- 
city, may I adopt the language of Habakkuk 3 : 
17,18: 'Although the Jig-tree shall not hlos- 
som,' &c. When most emptied of creature en- 
joyments, may I enjoy my God the most I" 

Feb. 16, 1817. " By viewing the foregoing 
paper, I am led to recollect a season of much 
anxiety which I experienced for the clothing and 
provision of our dear family. I must acknowl- 
edge the goodness and faithfulness of God in ap- 
pearing for us. Although this is a winter of un- 
usual scarcity of provisions, yet I do not recol- 
lect one in which we have been more comforta- 
ble for food and clothing. May the goodness of 
God, which I thus experience, bind my ungrate- 
ful heart so strongly that I shall never again be 
guilty of distrusting him." 

June 8. " To-day, shut out from God's 
house, I think I have not been wholly denied the 
sensible presence of my God and Saviour. I 
trust I have had some assistance in instructing 
and praying with two of my children ; and free- 
dom in presenting all of them before the throne 
of grace, in and through the merits of my ador- 
able Saviour, mine and their Mediator and In- 
tercessor. " 



DEATH OF A CHILD. 73 

Nov. 20, 1820. " Pleading for my children 
this evening, it seems to me that my unworthi- 
ness is so great that God will not send them his 
renewing grace, until my influence is removed. 
Here I think again of what was said of my 
Saviour in a certain case, 'He could not do many 
mighty tvorks because of their unbelief? O, 
could my divine Saviour, in his sovereign mercy, 
come and visit my family, though my heart were 
too cold to praise him, yet angels, who rejoice 
at the conversion of one sinner, here might have 
much occasion to rejoice !" 

In April, 1821, her seventh child, Miriam 
Phillips, died, aged 15 months. It had all the 
usual symptoms of consumption which appear 
in adults. Being the first bereavement in her 
family, it was a great trial of her christian char- 
acter. Her feelings on the occasion are thus 
recorded : 

April 15, 1821. " I would desire to record 
God's dealings with me for some time past. He 
has brought me into the furnace of affliction. 
My dear babe is taken from my bosom and com- 
mitted to the silent grave. She was exercised 
with lingering disease. How very trying to hu- 
man nature and parental affection has it been, 
7 



74 MEMOIR. 

to see this dear creature wasting with consump- 
tion. But God has ' remembered mercy.' I 
trust I have had divine supports in my trouble — 
I think I was resigned prevailingly to his will. 
I thought I could say, ' it is the Lord ; let him 
do as seemeth him good ;' l though he slay me, 
yet will I trust in him.' But O ! I have not 
found such abundant consolation as at some sea- 
sons of trial. May the God of all grace and 
consolation lift upon me the light of his recon- 
ciled countenance. May this trial humble me, 
and make me just what my heavenly Father 
wishes me to be. Cleanse me from secret faults. 
O, how must one of the sinful children of men 
appear in the view of a holy, sin-hating God. 
How precious is that Saviour by whose blood 
and righteousness we may be accepted. O that 
all the sinful race of Adam could see the pre- 
ciousness of this Saviour. 

" O God, T pray thee to sanctify this correc- 
tion to me and all of this family. May I be 
more faithful to my children ; feel more the 
worth of their souls. May they remember that 
they must die — may we all consider this a loud 
call to be also ready ; may I be quickened. I 
have for some days given myself up to grief; the 



PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING. 75 

vvorld appeared almost a blank; I could feel but 
little interest in any thing relating to this life. 
Blessed be God for some more comfortable feel- 
ings. Though it is not with me as in months 
past, I desire to trust in God, and wait upon 
him for the light of his countenance." 

The last record in her diary, which has par- 
ticular reference to her children, is the following 
beautiful and affecting prayer,under date,Ma?/20, 
1822, after the birth of her youngest daughter. 

" Enable me, O thou Spirit of all grace and 
mercy, to record the goodness of God, which 
has been so abundantly manifested towards me 
in the last week, in making me again the mother 
of a living and proper child. This season has 
been so distinguished with mercies, — they have 
been so complicated and numerous, that I know 
not how to begin a recital of them. In the hour 
of danger, when the most appalling dread was 
upon me, my heavenly Father sweetly drew near 
me ; removed my fears ; comforted me with his 
presence; mitigated my pains in a surprising 
degree, and speedily put a song of praise in my 
mouth. How shall I make a suitable return? 
O thou, whose mercies have been so great, give 
this : — grace sufficient to enable me to live to 



76 MEMOIR. 

thy praise. O, how painful the thought of ever 
being ungrateful again ! May this gift, O my 
God, which thou hast now bestowed, be a new 
bond of union between thee and my soul. Ac- 
cept my thanks for this little immortal committed 
to my arms. Sanctify her by thy spirit — purify 
her in that fountain which cleanseth from all sin ; 
direct and enable me to bring her up better 
than I have done any one before. Accept my 
thanks for a dear, sympathizing and faithful part- 
ner of my bosom. O that I might never de- 
viate one step from the path of conjugal duty. 
Accept my thanks for all my other children — 
obedient and attentive ; may I be more faithful 
to them. Give me a new supply of love and pa- 
tience. These are thy gifts. Accept my thanks 
for friends, sympathizing, tender and faithful, 
whom thou hast raised up for a poor, ungrateful 
stranger ; and for a tender physician. These are 
all thy gifts, and not a thousandth part of what 
thou hast recently bestowed upon me. 

' Thyself the crown ! 
Without thee I am^oor, give what thou wilt ; 
And with thee rich, take what thou wilt away.' " 

The influence of such a mother's example, 
instructions and prayers could not be otherwise 



CLOSING REMARKS. 77 

than salutary on her children. Before her 
death, she had the happiness of seeing four of 
them the professed followers of Christ. But as 
seven are yet living, and their eyes will read 
these pages, it may be unsuitable to pen further 
particulars. I would only repeat in their behalf 
the prayer which she fervently offered for them, 
in her last sickness, That they may all, through 
the mercy of her covenant God, meet at the 
right hand of the Saviour ; and she be permit- 
ted to present them to him, saying, Here, Lord, 
am I, and the children which thou hast given me ! 

Amen. 



CHAPTER V. 

TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION TO HER PARENTS AND ONLY 
BROTHER. 

It was a frequent prayer of Mrs. McFarland, that 
she might perform every duty to every relative 
in society. How faithfully and conscientiously 
she performed her duties as a wife and mother, 
we have already seen. But she was also her- 
self a daughter and a sister. Though her father 
died when she was a child, and she was most of 
the time separated from her brother ; yet she 
honored the memory of the one, and dearly loved 
the other. But her widowed mother was to her 
an object of very tender affection. 

This excellent parent, for several years before 
her death, was the subject of deep mental 
depression ; she lost her religious comfort and 
hope — and was filled at times with the most 
gloomy fears, both in regard to the present and 
future life. In consequence of her melancholy 
state of mind, Mrs. Kneeland closed her busi- 
ness in Boston, and came to Concord, in June, 



MYSTERIOUS PROVIDENCES. 79 

1809, where she remained in the family of Dr. 
McFarland till her death, in August following. 
The love, kindness and assiduous attention 
which she received from her daughter, during 
this gloomy period, and the mingled grief and 
gratitude with which she was long after remem- 
bered, cannot fail to interest every reader. 

It may here be observed that the providences 
of God towards his children often appear dark 
and mysterious. But in respect of temporal 
calamities, All things come alike to all. There 
is one event to the righteous and to the wicked. 
The loss of reason, being often the result of 
causes over which we have no control, is, in 
itself, no more evidence against christian char- 
acter, than is a fever or a broken bone: but 
as it is a greater calamity than any which merely 
affects the body, it ought to excite in us a greater 
commiseration towards those who are providen- 
tially deprived of it. The idea, which to some 
extent prevails, that God will never leave a true 
christian to die in a state of mental gloom, is 
neither authorized by general principles of 
scripture nor by particular facts. Blessed be 
his name, such cases do not often occur ; but 



80 MEMOIR. 

when they do, we must bow with submission to 
his sovereign will ! 

The following references to her parents and 
brother exhibit pleasing traits in her character. 

HER FATHER. 

April 19, 1807. " This day is fifteen years 
since the death of my dear father. Do I remem- 
ber his kindness and tenderness with gratitude 
and affection ; and feel sincerely sorry for every 
instance of childish disobedience 1 How much 
greater cause have I for repentance towards God, 
who is the author of my being — who has ever 
supported me ; in whom I ' live and move.' How 
manifold are thy mercies towards me, O God ! 
How often hast thou raised me from the gates of 
death, sparing that life which was so justly for- 
feited. Grant that I may be devoted to thine honor. 
May I walk humbly with thee in every relation : 
give me wisdom and grace to be a faithful wife, 
parent, and head of a family." 

HER MOTHER. 

In a letter to her mother, Aug. 31, 1806, she 
says : " I think, my dear mother, that if there 



ILL HEALTH OF HER MOTHER. 81 

is any blessing that I properly estimate, it is that 
of having a pious parent. We daily meet with 
those who have no esteem for religion ; who 
' see no form or comeliness ; in the Saviour, and 
w r ho are seeking their supreme happiness in a 
worldly portion. Such a character had I been, 
were it not for your exertions. How unwearied 
were you in endeavoring to draw me to a love of 
religion ! Your precepts, example and prayers, 
all seemed to conspire in drawing me to a pious 
course. Accept, my dear mother, my affection- 
ate thanks for all your endeavors." 

In her diary, April 9, 1S09 : " I have heard 
of the ill health of my dear mother. She is 
laboring under bodily indisposition, accompanied 
with a distressing malady of the mind, which 
renders her unfit to act for herself. It appears 
my duty to act for her, and if possible take her 
off from care. O ! my heavenly Father, I have 
never trusted thee in vain. Be thou the God of 
this thy widowed handmaid, and Father of the 
fatherless. Enable me to cast this my bui'den 
upon thee. Do thou direct me to the means 
which I ought to use, and give all needed wis- 
dom, resolution and strength to accomplish them. 
Thou art able to do for me abundantly beyond 



82 MEMOIR. 

what I can ask or even think. Help me to wait 
upon thee." 

June 2. " My dear mother is with me. O 
how unfit I am for this new charge. Surely 
there is more than ever need for me to apply 
continually to a throne of mercy for help." 

June 9. " My dear mother's illness is pecu- 
liarly trying — her mind clouded — her body exer- 
cised with almost constant extreme pain. But 
O, it is good for me to be in the furnace of 
affliction, when my Saviour sits by as the refiner. 
Blessed Saviour, condescend to be with me, and 
I will bid welcome to every cross." 

June 17. " My dear mother very ill. O for 
divine support : 

* Could I but hear my Saviour say, 
Strength shall be equal to thy day ; 
Then I'll rejoice in deep distress, 
Leaning on all-sufficient grace.'" 

Sept. 24. " God has removed my dear 
mother from me by death. O, that I might 
suitably feel this affliction. Those lips, which 
have so often warned me of danger ; so often 
solicited and entreated me to become religious ; 



SEASON OF AFFLICTION. 83 

so often been opened to soothe my disquiet, and 
encourage me in virtue, are sealed by the unre- 
lenting hand of death. O my God ! thou be- 
ing of infinite compassion and grace : I entreat 
that this dispensation may be abundantly sancti- 
fied to me. Pardon my stupidity. Have 1 hitherto 
continued insensible to such a chastisement — 
may I now be awakened to a sense of my loss — 
to a suitable temper toward thee. Give me a 
filial, childlike and submissive disposition. How 
shall I be consoled under the loss of a pious 
mother? How acquiesce in the deprivation of 
her w T atchful solicitude over my wavering foot- 
steps ! — the loss of those petitions which she 
daily put up for this, her needy child ! Teach 
me, — for I know not in what way I may seek a 
compensation. I know that this event could not 
take place without thy direction — that thy gov- 
ernment is unerring. I desire to praise thee that 
she was, I trust, secured by thy grace ; — that she 
was spared to me so long, till I had formed the 
most endearing connection in life- — and for many 
seasons of happiness which we have enjoyed 
together. Thy will be done. But O ! when 
and how shall T enough repent and mourn for 
the instances of childish disobedience toward 



&9 



84 MEMOIR. 

her — for the pains and anxious solicitude I have 
occasioned her. My Father, Give me repent- 
ance" 

Feb. 11, 1810. "In the last week I have been 
humbled and refreshed with reading some parts 
of my dear mother's diary. It affords the sweet- 
est assurance that she is now in glory, beyond 
this vale of tears ; drinking at the fountain of 
eternal love and happiness. How far below her 
example do I live ! How self-denying, how 
active when in health, was she in every christian 
duty. O God, I thank thee for these precious 
papers which thy providence has brought me.'* 
Bless them to me, and enable me by thy grace 
to imitate her, so far as she followed Christ. 55 

Mrs. McFarland mourned deeply — perhaps too 
deeply — for her deceased mother. She remarked, 
that * she seemed to have no power to repress her 
tears, especially if she recollected any particu- 
lar manifestation of her mother's tenderness, or 
any childish act of disobedience on her own 
part. 5 Eleven years afterwards, alluding to this, 
she said in a letter to a friend who had lost her 

*The diary kept by Mrs. Kneeland is very copious and inter- 
esting, and is still preserved. Mrs. McFarland undertook to pre- 
pare a brief Memoir of her mother, the last year of her life ; but 
was unable to complete it, on account of sickness. 



HER BROTHER. 85 

mother, " I sincerely sympathize with you in 
the deep affliction of parting with an affection- 
ate and pious mother. None know the bitterness 
of such a cup but those who have drank it. I 
thought for two years after the death of mine, 
that my sorrow increased by time. I never found 
my affliction blunted in the least till at the expi- 
ration of that time. I then earnestly besought 
my heavenly Father to dry my tears, and give 
me consolation. Ever merciful to one of the 
most unworthy supplicants, he heard and an- 
swered the request. My tears were dried ; I 
could calmly look into the grave ; I could view, 
by faith, the happy Canaan to which she was ad- 
mitted, and cheerfully acquiesce in the separa- 
tion." 

HER BROTHER. 

She often alluded in her diary to her " dear 
and only brother," and offered suitable prayers 
in his behalf. The following facts respecting 
him are derived from Mrs. Buxton: " My moth- 
er's thoughts often turned to her brother, the 
companion of her childhood. He had taken a 
voyage to Jamaica, as mate of a vessel ; but the 
time had elapsed during which he expected to 
be absent. His friends expected his arrival ; 
8 



86 MEMOIR. 

but weeks passed away, and no tidings came 
respecting him. My father and mother went to 
Boston, in the month of October, 1809, and 
found their friends there nearly as anxious as 
themselves ; for nothing had been heard of the 
vessel, or any of the crew. They called on the 
owner of the vessel, who told them that he con- 
sidered its loss so certain, that he would gladly 
take $100 for it. The day before they left 
Boston, however, they saw an account of its 
arrival in New York. They returned to 
Concord, expecting their dear brother to visit 
them, in a very short time ; but instead of this, 
they received a letter from the captain, inform- 
ing them of his sickness and death, which was 
the cause of their detention. He had died of 
consumption, just ten d#ys after his mother, and 
found a stranger's grave, in Kingston, Jamaica." 
She thus alludes to his death : Nov. 12, 1809. 
" 1 am again called to drink of the cup of afflic- 
tion. God in his^providence has seen fit to 
remove my only brothei^y death. May I be suit- 
ably affected under these bereavements. Al- 
mighty God, be pleased to enable me to honor 
thee at this time — prepare me for my own disso- 
lution." 



CHAPTER VI. 

HER DEVOTIONAL CHARACTER AND EXERCISES. 

That Mrs. McFarland was a truly devout 
woman, every one acquainted with her believed; 
but few, even of her nearest friends, knew the 
manner in which she maintained so close a walk 
with God. This chapter in her Memoir will 
disclose the secret. Here we learn that reli- 
gion WAS THE BUSINESS OF HER LIFE. She i SOUght 

first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.' 
Matt. 6 : 33. Here we are made acquainted 
with her exercises on the Sabbath ; in the house 
of God ; at the communion table, and on days 
of fasting and prayer ; we are introduced into 
her closet; witness her prayers and tears; can 
listen to her ejaculatory petitions, as well as to 
her songs of praise and thanksgiving. We are 
allowed to enter even the sanctuary of her heart, 
and be spectators of the sacrifices daily offered 
there ! Every exercise of the christian seems to 
be exemplified in her experience. To those who 
may read these extracts, and who are ignorant 



OO MEMOIR. 

of those humbling and painful views of sin which 
she often expresses, I would say, — That such 
views are not at all inconsistent with the highest 
evidences of piety, and the sweetest comforts in 
religion ; — rather they result from clear appre- 
hensions of the holiness of God and the spiritu- 
ality of his law. President Edwards, in his " Re- 
ligious Affections," says : " The eminent saint, 
having a view of the high degree in which he 
ought to love God, perceives more clearly, not 
only the smallness of his grace, but the great- 
ness of his remaining corruption. In order to 
ascertain how much depravity or sin remains 
within us, we must regard that height to which 
the rule of duty extends. The whole of the dis- 
tance between that elevation and our affections, 
is sin ; for in exact proportion as we fall short of 
our duty, we sin and evidence the depravity of 
our hearts. Sin is an abominable defect, and 
appears so to the saints, especially to those who 
are eminent saints." Hence, those whose sins 
appear few and small to themselves; who have 
no heart-broken confessions to make, and no tears 
of contrition before God, may justly suspect the 
genuineness of their piety. 

It should, moreover, be observed, that true 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 89 

sorrow for sin leads the believer to place a high 
value upon the atonement and righteousness of 
Christ. This will explain the fact frequently 
brought to view in her diary, that Mrs. McFar- 
land's most humble confessions of sin, and lam- 
entations over her own depravity, are sometimes 
followed with expressions of great joy and peace 
in view of the Saviour. 

To the christian who shall peruse these passa- 
ges, I would say — Thou walkest on holy ground ; 
be serious ; be devout ; let thy prayers ascend to 
God, that thou mayest be partaker, not only of 
like precious faith and love, of like penitence and 
humility ; — but also of like diligence and per- 
severance in christian duty. 

family cares. 
July 20, 1806. " Almost all my time is en- 
grossed with the business of this life. Such is 
the situation of my family at this time, that I 
find but a few moments in a day for private devo- 
tion. I have set apart a little time this afternoon 
to prepare for the sabbath and for self-examina- 
tion. Respecting the mercies I have received, 
I have the greatest cause for gratitude of any 
creature ; situated as I am, with so many means 
of improvement in knowledge and virtue ; my 



90 



husband happy with his people ; my family in 
health and peace. With regard to myself, what 
great reason have I to bless God that he has laid 
his restraints upon me. When I see a glimpse 
of my own heart, by some act of unkindness to 
others, or some sinful secret thoughts, I am as- 
tonished that I am not cut off. O God, grant me 
grace to be humble. Behold, I am vile ! May 
I not rejoice that thou Lord seest me ; and though 
infinitely impure, that thou art my physician, 
and canst heal my backslidings, is cause of joy." 

A WANDERING SISTER. 

The duty of admonition and reproof is one of 
the most difficult which a christian is ever 
required to perform. Few can do it without giv- 
ing offence. Mrs. McFarland was known to suc- 
ceed in it better than most persons ; but proba- 
bly the secret of her success is not understood. 
The following will disclose it : 

Sabbath evening, July 21. "I spent some 
time alone in reading the word and in prayer. 
I thought the path plain respecting conversing 
with a wandering sister. Resolved, in the course 
of the week to converse with her. Desire to 
wait upon God for an opportunity ; and that he 
would dispose the hearts of herself and friends 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 91 

(should they know it) in such a manner as that it 
may not make me appear her enemy, and may 
not injure the comfort of my husband. Then 
shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto 
all thy commandments." 

On the next sabbath evening, she writes : "I 
endeavored yesterday to converse faithfully with 
a wandering sister. I desire to thank God that 
she did not appear to be angry with me, but took 
it kindly. O almighty God, who seest and know- 
est all my actions and their motives, — I beseech 
thee do not let me be a deceived hypocrite. 
Search me and try me ; let nothing but a sin- 
cere desire to promote thy glory be my design 
in what I do. When I see something of my 
heart, I am ready to give up my hope : — but Je- 
sus is allsufficient. Give me faith : draw out my 
heart in love to thee. O God, I give up myself 
and all that I have, to be disposed of as thou 
seest best." 

GOOD RESOLVES. 

Sept. 13. " I resolve, through divine grace 
assisting me, to aim higher in my life ; to do 
more for God ; to be watchful over my heart and 
conversation ; not to give way to angry passions ; 
to endeavor to do justice to the bodies and souls 



92 MEMOIR. 

of those who are committed to my care ; and to 
exercise myself in a conscience void of offence 
toward God and toward men : putting in prac- 
tice the exhortation I have heard this day on do- 
ing to others as I would they should do to me. 
Let me call myself to an account in this partic- 
ular : In the past week I went to pass an after- 
noon with a professor of religion. Did we not 
unnecessarily speak ill of others? I think I did 
not say all in favor of the absent that I might." 

HOPE OF HEAVEN. 

Friday, Sept. 19. " Yesterday was labor- 
ing under weakness of body ; had some pleas- 
ing views of heaven ;— no separation from friends 
there. Our dearest friends are there. There I 
hope, through the merits and mercy of Jesus, 
my Saviour, to dwell with Christ the Lamb ; my 
dear mother ; and many earthly christian friends, 
whom I trust are already worshipping there. O 
let me lay aside every weight, and run so as to 
win the prize." 

SOCIAL PRAYER. 

Mrs. McFarland, having been trained up in 
the prayer meeting held in her mother's house 
in Boston, was very desirous to establish a simi- 
lar meeting in Concord. She loved social prayer, 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 93 

next to private, and as often as she could, she 
sought to enjoy the privilege. When she came 
to Concord, such a thing as a female prayer 
meeting was unknown. She proposed to hold 
one, at various times, but for many years could 
find no more than tivo persons to unite with her. 
The meeting here mentioned, was, it is believed, 
the first of the kind ever held in town. 

Monday afternoon, Oct. 13. The two last 
sabbath evenings have been devoted to prayer 
with a christian friend. Last evening, by re- 
quest, another was admitted. I think we expe- 
rienced the fulfilment of that blessed promise, 
that 'where two or three are gathered in the name 
of Jesus, there he is in the midst of them.' We 
resolve, by divine permission, to continue these 
meetings. Our object is to desire the influences 
of the Holy Spirit on our own souls and those 
of our relations ; the town at large, and our dear 
minister. God be pleased to grant that we may 
experience the happiness of those who enjoy 
thy presence ; that thou art the God of truth. 

Amen." 
particular prayer. 

Mrs. McFarland was much in the habit of 
praying for particular persons and objects. This 



94 MEMOIR. 

we shall see illustrated in the subsequent parts 
of her diary. She regarded, as answers to prayer, 
what afterwards took place in accordance with 
her petitions ; and hence found occasion for 
gratitude and confidence in God when the things 
prayed for were granted ; and for submission, 
when they were withheld. " Thy will be done" 
was always one part of her prayer. 

Dec. 27. " In the past week have experienced 
much benefit and peace from devoting all the 
time I could get in one day from necessary busi- 
ness, to prayer. Designed to pray particularly 
for a neighbor ; found much pleasure and con- 
siderable freedom in praying for this people, and 
friends at Boston. In one particular, thought I 
had almost an immediate answer. That evening 
and the fore part of the next day enjoyed a peace 
worth thousands ; but where shall I find the cause 
that deprived me of it ? Believe I trusted in my 
own strength to retain it ; left watching, and soon 
fell into doubts and unbelief. Almighty God, 
help me to rely wholly on thee for grace to do 
any thing acceptable to thy infinite purity. Meet 
with me on the approaching sabbath ; give me 
desires after thee ; open my mouth wide, and do 
thou fill it" 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 95 

PRAYER FOR A REVIVAL. 

Jan. 4, 1807. " How melancholy the truth, 
that among this great people but one, in the year 
past, has publicly professed Christ. O, my God, 
my eyes are up unto thee; my expectation is 
from thee. Do grant us an effusion of thy 
Holy Spirit ; do grant a spirit of prayer to thy 
own children ; do purify this church ; do awaken 
sleeping professors, and the careless and secure. 
Bow the stout-hearted ; let us see thy foot-steps 
here. O, may this year be a year of jubilee to 
many who are now the captives of Satan. Lord, 
thy power is infinite. Thou art able to do abund- 
antly beyond what we can ask or think." 

ADORATION AND PETITION. 

Jan. 13, 1808. " O the adorable riches of 
free grace. This plan of salvation is worthy of 
God ! Deign, almighty God, to look in compas- 
sion on my ignorance, and teach me with the 
teachings of thy spirit. I acknowledge that my 
ignorance is criminal. I am surrounded by the 
means of instruction, but have shut my eyes to 
the knowledge of thy character. The heavens 
and the earth are full of thy glory ; sanctify the 
means of wisdom ; open my eyes to behold thee 
in the works of Creation, of Providence, and of 



96 



MEMOIR. 



Redemption ; may I see wondrous things out of 
thy law. O, my God, I covenanted to be thine 
in my early days, and have never wished to 
retract the engagement, although my continual 
backslidings testify so much against me." 

REWARD OF PREPARATION FOR THE SABBATH. 

Wednesday evening, Feb. 17. "This week 
I feel a little more alive to spiritual things than 
I sometimes do ; cold and dead enough at best. 

1 The little ants, for one poor grain, 
Labor, and tug, and strive ; 
Yet /, who have a heaven to obtain, 
How negligent I live.' 

I see how much I loose by my sloth. Almighty 
God, without thy grace I can do nothing. Be 
pleased to warm my heart with the blessed in- 
fluences of thy Spirit. Any degree of engaged- 
ness more than usual, under God, I impute to a 
more exact observance of the Sabbath. I en- 
deavored to remember it before it came, and to 
prepare for it in such a way as that worldly 
cares might occupy but a very small portion. 
On Monday retained something of its peace — 
yesterday had some humbling sense of my own 
vileness and impotence. Blessed be God for the 
unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. Blessed be 
his free grace offered to sinners. May my 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 97 

soul forever bless his name for the influence of 
that Spirit, who I humbly trust has enlighten- 
ed me to see something of the wretchedness of 
my nature, and the preciousness of Christ. My 
sins are a constant cause of my shame. O 
God, I desire to resign my soul to thee, entreat- 
ing that thou wouldst have mercy on this thy 
wandering creature. Restore me to thy fold ; 
enable me to live near to thee ; to be more 
watchful, meek, and wise. Help me to walk be- 
fore my family in a perfect way ; to walk hum- 
bly with thee. Draw me, and I shall run unto 
thee." 

HUMBLING SENSE OF SIN. 

Oct. 9. " O what views have 1 had of the 
vileness of my heart ! Is it possible that one 
who has ever experienced the special influences 
of the Holy Spirit, and been born again, should 
fall so low — so frequently in sin as I do ? Al- 
mighty God, be pleased to search me and try 
me; discover me unto myself, and enable me to 
fly to the ark of safety. O help me to render to 
thee according to what I receive. i Hold thou 
me up and I shall be safe. 3 

1 Look gently down, almighty grace, 
Prison me round in thine embrace ; 
Pity the heart that would be thine, 
And let thy power my love confine.' " 

9 



98 MEMOIR. 

CONFERENCE MEETING LOVE TO CHRISTIANS PRAYER. 

Dec. 2, 1809. " I desire to praise God for 
his mercy in giving me a pleasant interview with 
christian friends, and for what he has done for 
them and by them. A number are meeting 
together statedly in christian conference. May 
the Lord, who has taught me my dependence on 
himself for such blessed privileges, bless these 
meetings, that the piety of these females may 
be leaven, which shall spread and increase much 
— to the salvation of many souls. Have I not 
obtained this evidence that I belong to Christ, 
viz : that I do in sincerity love those persons 
who I think belong to him, and appear the 
most engaged in his service? 

" A female parishioner lies at the point of death 
— my Father, sanctify this event to all concerned. 
O, is she a subject of prayer, appear for her ; 
manifest thy power — the power of thy grace ; 
almighty Redeemer, save her. I cast her upon 
thee ; at thy feet none ever perished. May it 
please thee to give me some answer to this prayer, 
to strengthen my faith in thee. Amen." 

WHY PRAYER IS NOT ANSWERED. 

March 7, 1810. " ' Ye ask and receive not, 
because yc ask amiss J Methinks this is my own 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 99 

case. I do not receive the answers to my peti- 
tions which I expect. Let me seek the cause of 
this disappointment. Does there remain any 
root of bitterness in my heart toward a fellow 
creature? ' If ye forgive not men their tres- 
passes, neither will your Father forgive your tres- 
passes. 1 Search me, O God, and know my 
heart ; try me, and know my thoughts. Lead 
me in the right way. O enable me to be as len- 
der of the reputation of others, as of their life. 
I think one cause why I do not see the answer 
to my prayers, is my carelessness. I do not look 
out for the answers — and another cause is, my 
insincerity. The hour allotted for my private 
devotions sometimes arrives when I feel no heart 
for prayer, and attend to the form without the 
spirit ; how dull the duty when this is the case. 
Shall I approach the eternal Majesty of heaven 
with my lips, when he sees my heart wandering 
after the trifles of time ? Let me remember that 
God abhors this hypocritical service. Blessed 
Jesus, 

' Be thou my pattern, make me bear 
More of thy gracious image here.' " 

CONCERN FOR A DOMESTIC. 

Mrs. MTarland's concern for the spiritual wel- 
fare of her family, extended to every member. 



100 MEMOIR. 

Every change of domestics is noted in her diary, 
and a suitable prayer offered for each. When 
she had a young girl as help in her family, she 
gave her the same instructions that she did her 
own children ; and young boarders, which she 
sometimes had, received the same attention. 

April 8. " In the past week I have experien- 
ced a change in my domestics. May I feel my 
dependence on God to make this person a bless- 
ing to my family. O, my Father, enable me to 
bring the immortal soul of this person to thee in 
prayer. Do thou visit it with thy special grace. 
Enable me by thy grace to recommend religion 
to my family and friends. Keep me this week. 
Enable me to lean on Jesus/' 

SICKNESS HER VIEWS. 

Sept. 1. "I have again been brought very 
low by sickness. I thought for a few hours at 
one time that it would be my last sickness. My 
evidences of an interest in the divine favor were 
clouded. I seemed on the verge of eternity ! — 
O how vastly important did it appear to have an 
interest in Christ. Ten thousand worlds were 
but a straw when compared to this ! Why do I 
live so much in doubt of my state and condition 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 101 

— am I united to Christ ? or am I yet an alien 
from him 1 Surely I take delight when I hear 
of the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom. 
I delight to hear the distinguishing doctrines of 
the gospel preached, such as man's total de- 
pravity, the divinity of Christ, regeneration by 
the Holy Spirit, &>c. &c. 

" This day I had an opportunity to sit down at 
the table of the Lord. Shall I, the meanest of 
his servants, unworthy to approach unto him, be 
united to him in an everlasting covenant ? Shall 
I dare to hope for an admission into his king- 
dom, to be a joint heir with Christ? O God, 
help me to live answerably to such a profession. 
Do keep me near to thee. May I plead with 
thee for my dear friends. O remember the 
stranger who is dear to me. Bring her nigh to 
thyself: help her to show forth thy praise." 

REVIVAL. 

July 14, 1811. "I desire to thank God for 
his distinguishing goodness in visiting this peo- 
ple with the present refreshing shower of divine 
grace. Twenty-eight have been recently added 
to the church, who give satisfactory evidence of 
a change of heart. Many more have obtained 
a hope in Christ ; many are inquiring the way. 



102 MEMOIR. 

May my dear husband be strengthened for his 
abundant labors. O may this revival extend to 
this part of the town. Amen." 

Oct. 4. " To-day I have had an opportunity 
of attending public worship and the ordinance 
of the Supper — and have witnessed the solemn 
scene of a child, under twelve years, taking God's 
gracious covenant upon her, and receiving the 
ordinance of baptism. May this event, which 
was so affecting to the congregation, be sancti- 
fied. May converts here be multiplied like drops 
of morning dew. I have had some longing de- 
sires for this people. O may my desires be en- 
larged." 

PANTS AFTER HOLINESS. 

Jan. 10, 1813. " O that I could use this 
world as not abusing it — that I could do com- 
mon actions with holy aims. I do most certain- 
ly experience the truth of this assertion, * I sin 
in all that I do, and come short of glorifying 
God.' When shall I be holy ? When shall I 
love God supremely, and do all that I do, for 
him ? Must I be separated from this body — shall 
I never be holy till disencumbered of this clog ? 
Well then, let me be preparing for the event ; 
let me lessen my hold on earth. Some strong 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARV. 103 

ties are already broken ; it seems there are but 
few remaining that fasten me here. But O, am 
I ready to enter that abode of rest which is pre- 
pared alone for the just and faithful ; where noth- 
ing that defileth or maketh a lie shall enter ? — 
O blessed and ever animating words, * He that 
believeth shall be saved.' ' He hath fulfilled the 
law, and died the just for the unjust.'' 

1 A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, 
On thy kind arms I fall ; 
Be thou my strength and righteousness , 
My Jesus and my all.' " 

FEMALE PRAYER MEETING. 

How much her heart was set on establishing a 
female prayer meeting, will appear from the fol- 
lowing extracts. 

June 21. " In the last week I enjoyed a privi- 
lege I have not been indulged with for a long 
time, A dear young friend called upon me in 
an afternoon' a part of which I had devoted to 
prayer. I mentioned my design to her, who 
agreed to join with me. While we were engaged 
in the important business of uniting our peti- 
tions to the throne of grace, another christian 
friend came providentially among us, and joined 
in our requests. I thought I found some sweet- 
ness in this duty, and comfort from it for many 



104 MEMOIR. 

days. How easy is it with God to effect what I 
have long desired — to have a society of females 
formed for religious purposes. My proud heart 
revolts at the idea of appearing forward to in- 
troduce customs which are new among my pro- 
fessing christian friends in this place. O God ! 
I pray thee, in thine own time and way, to ap- 
pear for us in this part of the town, and to work 
a work of grace among us." 

Aug. 1. " I have been favored with many 
mercies the past week. Have been indulged 
with the privilege of uniting with a religious, 
female praying society in Pembroke. I desire 
to thank and praise God for raising up such a 
society. O, may he appear in like manner also 
for this dear people. O my Father, thou know- 
est my desires. Have I not been longing for 
such a favor 1 O, thou art able to do abundant- 
ly beyond what I can ask or think ; help me to 
wait upon thee still. May my longing expecta- 
tion be from thee." 

DEATH OF MRS. BURNHAM.* 

Oct. 18. " Have heard to-day of the death 
of dear Mrs. Burnham. A surprising event, in- 

* The second wife of Rev. Abraham Burnham of Pembroke. 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 105 

deed ! Well, I trust she has long been habitual- 
ly ready for death. Will God be pleased to 
sanctify this event to all concerned. O God of 
mercies, pity and comfort thine afflicted servant ; 
take his dear children under thy peculiar care. 
May this event serve to quicken me, thine un- 
worthy worm, that I may be ready for the ap- 
proaching summons." 

Oct. 24. " In the last week I have been call- 
ed to attend the funeral of dear Mrs. Burnham. 

may her falling mantle rest on me. May I 
catch the spirit of meekness, patience, and zeal 
which she exhibited, and be a follower of her 
wherein she followed Christ. " 

PRAISE FOR GOD'S GOODNESS TO ANGELS AND SAINTS. 

Perhaps the following is as good an illustra- 
tion of disinterested benevolence as can easily be 
found in the records of christian experience. 
Though the phrase may be unhappily chosen, yet 
it expresses an important doctrinal truth, which 
accords with the experience of true christians. 

Nov. 28. " This evening I have had some 
comfort in prayer. Although I could not say with 
assurance, My sins are forgiven mc, yet I think 

1 was enabled to bless and praise God for what 
communications of happiness are bestowed on 



106 MEMOIR. 

angels, and saints made perfect in heaven ; and 
for those blissful moments which saints enjoy on 
earth from time to time. Some of them have 
declared that they could bear no more, and have 
even prayed that God would withhold such rap- 
tures from them as seemed to threaten the dis- 
solution of the body. Why should my selfish- 
ness withhold from him the praise due to his 
grace, because I am not the recipient of this 
particular mercy. T receive infinitely more than 
I deserve." 

REFLECTIONS AND EXCELLENT RESOLVES AT THE BE- 
GINNING OF THE YEAR. 

Jan. 2, 1814. " When I review the past year, 
I am astonished at the forbearance and mercy of 
God toward me. I am filled with shame and re- 
morse, to consider my extreme barrenness, and 
unprofitable life. How long I have borne the pro- 
fession of religion ; how little I have done for God! 
I desire to lie low at the feet of God this eve- 
ning, and confess some of the many sins which 
I have committed the last year. My extreme 
ignorance of the character of God, and of my 
own character ; my distance from God; my en- 
snaring fear of my fellow worms; my unfaith- 
fulness and want of sympathy for precious souls ; 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 107 

my propensity to anger and impatience ; want of 
love to God and Christ. God be merciful to me 
a sinner ! Look, O my Saviour, with a pitying 
eye upon me. Thou knowest my frame ; re- 
member that I am but dust ; help me to open my 
mouth wide for spiritual mercies with the impor- 
tunity of faith. Thou knowest that this short pro- 
bation is all that I have, to prepare for a vast 
eternity. If I am deceiving myself, search me 
and undeceive me ! O, forgive my sins, thou 
blessed Jesus ; hide me in thy wounds ; clothe 
me in thy righteousness ; give me an assurance 
of thy love ; help me to be more acquainted with 
thee ; help me to commune with thee. May T 
live upon thee by faith; may I walk closely and 
humbly before God ; may I be more watchful 
and prayerful — more meek and forbearing. 

" I resolve by divine grace assisting me (know- 
ing that I can do nothing good of myself) to 
deny myself every sinful indulgence ; every thing 
that may impede my progress toward heaven ; 
resolve to cultivate and strengthen my hope of 
attaining the reward of those who endure unto 
the end ; resolve to walk more closely with God 
— and to cultivate ejaculatory prayer ; resolve to 
endeavor after a more faithful spirit ; to exhort 



108 MEMOIR. 

my christian friends as I may have opportunity ; 
to put away flattering words, and to speak truth 
with my neighbor ; to cultivate a tender sympa- 
thy for the souls of sinners, and to be faithful 
in admonishing them. Resolve to be watchful 
against angry passions, — and speaking unadvis- 
edly with my lips ; to cultivate a kind and friend- 
ly disposition to all — doing good to all as I have 
opportunity, especially they of the household of 
faith ; resolve to read the word of God more 
diligently, prayerfully, and reverently. These 
resolves I pray God to enable me by his grace 
to keep." 

PRECIOUS BIBLE. 

Jan. 9. " I desire to thank and praise God 
for the resolves which he enabled me to make 
the last Sabbath evening. I think they have been 
a great restraint upon me. I have had a more 
comfortable week than many preceding. I 
think I have seen more of the excellence, love- 
liness and glory of God, the Father, and more of 
the beauty, allsufficiency and freeness of Jesus, 
the Saviour, than I have ever before experien- 
ced. I have likewise enjoyed stronger hopes of 
heaven than ever before — and have been fully 
convinced from my dear, precious bible, that the 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 109 

hope of salvation is the indispensable duty of 
the christian, and apart of his armour, 'putting 
on the breast-plate of faith and love, and for an 
helmet the hope of salvation. 5 I pray God that 
I may be enabled to practice more and more the 
preceding resolutions." 

ABSTRACT OF A SERMON TO HEADS OF FAMILIES. 

Jan. 30. " To-day have been indulged with 
an opportunity of going to God's house and 
hearing one of his faithful servants dispense the 
word of life, from Psalms, 101 : 2 : I will ivalk 
before my house with a perfect heart. A ' per- 
fect heart' is one of sincere, upright intentions. 
The i walk' spoken of by the Psalmist implies 
the conduct and general deportment of the man. 
The import of walking in a perfect way before 
an household explained ; the importance of such 
a walk enforced by many powerful arguments 
and persuasions. A man who is the head of a 
family must consider himself the guardian of his 
family, both as it respects their spiritual and 
temporal interests. He will present their wants 
before God in prayer ; he will pray with them, 
assembling morning and evening about the fam- 
ily altar. As a husband, he will be affectionate 
and forbearing, remembering the apostolic in- 
10 



110 MEMOIR. 

junction, i Husbands, love your wives, and be not 
bitter against them.' Asa father, he will be af- 
fectionate and faithful ; he will remember that 
he was once himself a child, and will not expect 
too much from his children; he will convince 
them by his whole conduct that his heart is rilled 
with tenderness for them. Though they may 
sometimes require the rod, they will know that 
he seeks their good. As a master, he will be 
mild and gentle towards his servants, and will 
give unto them that which is just and equal. 
He will attend to his servants, to know what 
characters they are forming. In short, the mas- 
ter of a family will be concerned to exhibit such 
an example as will be safe for other's ; watchful 
that himself is governed by a right temper at all 
times ; for if he is unable to govern himself, 
how can he govern others ? An interesting an- 
ecdote was related, respecting the conversion of 
a boy who was at first affected by reading the 
scriptures at school, for the encouragement of 
parents to exert themselves to continue the 
bible as a school book. Much was said respect- 
ing the duty of dedicating children and families 
to God. Many promises and encouragements 
produced from scripture. God's conduct toward 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. Ill 

Abraham, &c. &,c. May this excellent sermon 
be deeply impressed on my memory — some of 
the ideas of which I have endeavored to pen down. 
I have not done it, however, in their original 
order. May I bring it forth in my life and con- 
versation. 7 ' 

SWEET SEASON OF DEVOTION. 

It was a remark of the devout Bradford, 
that '• he would not give over confessing any sin, 
till he felt some brokenness of heart for it ; and 
would not cease praying for a particular blessing, 
till he felt ' some relish of it in his soul." Let 
those christians, whose seasons of devotion are 
governed by their feelings merely, read the fol- 
lowing beautiful extract, and be admonished and 
instructed as to their duty : 

Feb. 23. " To-day I have had some minutes 
of sweetness and freedom in prayer, which i" 
must record for my future encouragement. Bur- 
dened with care, and sighing with a sense of 
my extreme deadness to any spiritual exercises, 
I retired to my chamber, unfitted, as I thought, 
for prayer, but intending to cherish for a few 
moments the painful emotions occasioned by a 
sense of my barrenness of life. There it pleas- 
ed my gracious heavenly Father to meet me with 



112 MEMOIR. 

his presence, and to draw forth the most ardent 
aspirations of my soul in broken sobs, and I 
trust penitent confessions, for the vanities and 
sins of my childhood and youth ; the aggravat- 
ed offences and unprofitableness of maturer 
years ; in longing desire for the advancement of 
the Redeemer's kingdom, particularly in some 
neighboring towns, and among this dear people. 
There, methought, I had c meat to eat of which 
the world knew noV — the least morsel of which 
I would not exchange for all the gilded trap- 
pings and deceitful honors it could offer. My 
dear children and family were much on my heart 
— that God would visit them with his salvation. 
May I never forget this day. May I never, from 
this time, measure the grace and mercy of my 
heavenly Father by my own deceitful, backslid- 
ing conduct toward him." 

JOY AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS. 

May 1. " I desire to ascribe to the free grace 
and mercy of God what I have enjoyed to-day. 
It has been a happy season to my soul. Hitherto 
the Lord has helped me ; have enjoyed more 
engagedness in prayer and hearing the word 
than for a long time ; and humbly hope that I 
had the presence and blessing of Christ in the 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 113 

season of commemorating his sufferings and 
death. I felt that I needed the pardon of a 
Magdalen : no creature on earth so vile as my- 
self. Yet I had a view of the willingness and 
allsufficiency of Christ, that was consoling be- 
yond what any confidence in myself could ever 
afford. The way of salvation appeared delight- 
ful to me. Methought I was sitting at the foot 
of the cross, with a broken heart — accepted, 
through infinite mercy in Christ, and bade wel- 
come ! O, that all the world could see by faith 
the preciousness of this condescending, allsuni- 
cient Saviour. Have been longing to be freed 
from this body of sin and death ; 

1 When shall that day, dear Lord, appear, 
When I shall mount to dwell above ; 
And stand and bow among them there, 
And see thy face, and sing thy love.' 

"I am afraid the desire I have lately felt to be 
freed from the body arises from an unwillingness 
to suffer, or work for God in this world. My 
bodily indisposition is so constant that I am una- 
ble to discharge the duties of my station with en- 
gagedness, — and feel in a manner useless. O my 
heavenly Father, save me from a useless and in- 
dolent life. Help me to keep near to thee, thou 
Shepherd of my soul." 
10* 



114 MEMOIR. 



May 22. 



RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. 

" ' O who hath tasted of his clemency 
In greater measure or more oft than I ; 
Which way soe'er I turn my face or feet, 
I see his wonders and his goodness meet.' 



I am again raised from a bed of sickness to 
so much health (though still extremely feeble) 
as to be restored to the society of my dear hus- 
band and children, and to resume some portion 
of my cares for them. My heavenly Father 
triumphs over my ingratitude with his love and 
faithfulness. I shall want an eternity to cele- 
brate his praises." 

SELF FORGOTTON GOD GLORIFIED. 

April 23, 1815. " For some time I have been 
much indisposed in body, and in darkness of 
mind; much distressed with doubts respecting 
my interest in the merits and atonement of 
Christ ; and am now far from possessing assur- 
ance. But within a short time I have been so 
engrossed with a view of what God is doing in 
the world for the advancement of the Redeem- 
er's cause ; with hearing of the increasing exer- 
tions which good people are making to send the 
gospel to the heathen, and to promote piety in 
every part of the world, that I seem to have lost 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 115 

sight of myself, and sometimes rejoice in the 
idea that God will be glorified by all his crea- 
tures. And if, with respect to me, it should be 
in the manifestation of his justice in my con- 
demnation and eternal punishment, I must say 
' thy will be done.' For I have sinned against 
such mercy — such endearing restraints — such 
repeated admonitions — such a bountiful share of 
the means of knowing and serving him — that it 
would be just should he now say, Let her alone, 
she is joined unto idols. Why should ye be 
stricken any more : ye will revolt more and more. 
Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth forever. 
But O, I am yet a probationer. I pray that I 
may not live to heap up wrath against the day 
of retribution. I will fly to the fountain opened 
— I will recollect the freeness of the offer of sal- 
vation, Wliosoever will, let him come. Though 
the greatest of sinners, Jesus, I come to thee, 
my only refuge— a sure foundation — a shadow of 
a great rock in a weary land — the mighty God, 
the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, 
mighty to save. O, I want to live answerably to 
a profession of the religion of Jesus, who was 
meek and lowly. I want to feel the worth of 
souls — and to have a sympathy and tender con- 



116 MEMOIR. 

cern for those who are in an unconverted state, 
as really under condemnation and wrath. I want 
to do something for God. O, that I did pay him 
the entire homage of my heart." 

REVIVAL IN COLLEGES. 

May 21. "Adored be the sovereign grace 
and mercy of God, that he is now pouring out 
of his Spirit on some of our colleges. Blessed 
be his name for what my ears have heard with 
respect to Dartmouth. O that this shower might 
extend to Concord. Come, O blessed Spirit, 
breathe on us here. O may we see the goings 
of God, our king, as others see it." 

INDWELLING SIN LAMENTED. 

Aug. 14. " Of late I have experienced occa- 
sionally some comfortable hopes of an interest in 
the blessed friend of sinners ; but O, such a 
depth of iniquity in my heart ! new corruptions 
seem to be springing up from time to time, and 
sins which I had thought subdued and slain, 
sometimes appear to rise with increased force. 
My only hope and resort is to Jesus, the con- 
queror. The constant conviction 1 have of my 
own weakness must drive me to him. Some 
sweetness of late in social prayer with two young 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 117 

disciples of Christ. Blessed be my heavenly 
father for these companions in my pilgrimage. 
May our souls be watered with dews of heavenly 
grace. May a spirit of prayer be poured out 
upon us. May we experience the divine pres- 
ence." 

BIRTH-DAY. 

March 19, 1816. " My birth-day 1 O, what 
contrition and shame have I felt to-day. The 
review of so large a portion of time (which has 
passed since this last anniversary) being added 
to those years which are never to return, filled 
up with vanity, or what is of little profit, has 
pained me extremely. Have I lived so long and 
done nothing for God ? O why did I not im- 
prove the season of youth to more advantage ? 
Why have I not obtained a more decisive and 
energetic character ? Where am I ? and to what 
kingdom do I belong ? 

" The hope I have of an interest in the bless- 
ed Redeemer I would not part with for the 
crowns and riches of the earth. Nay, ten thou- 
sand such worlds as this I know would not be 
a portion satisfactory to an immortal soul. I 
want no portion but an interest in Jesus Christ. 
His smiles can cheer the darkest gloom, and 



118 MEMOIR. 

create heaven in my soul, when all the world is 
frowning. But why do I not enjoy a more con- 
firmed hope, and more love to God ? Surely I 
do not live and feel as other christians do. I 
know that God is a source of love and happi- 
ness to his children. There must be some wrong 
in me that my hopes are constantly mingled with 
so much doubting. 

" How accumulated and great have been the 
mercies of the last year. Another immortal soul 
committed to my care. Much pain and sickness 
was allotted me the last summer and autumn. I 
can say with the Psalmist, I was brought low and 
he helped me. O how aggravated have been my 
sins the year past, and by what parental tender- 
ness has God brought back my wanderings, when 
I have most ungratefully strayed from him. O 
that I could render according to what I have 
received. 

1 Dear Lord, I give myself away, — 
'Tis all that I can do.' " 

REVIVAL IN CONCORD, 1816. 

Sept. 14. " I have long omitted writing in 
my diary ; have much that I ought to record of 
God's goodness to me and to our dear people, in 
pouring out of his Spirit upon this town, and in 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 119 

bringing many, as I trust, out of nature's dark- 
ness into his light. It must be a work for eter- 
nity to. render a suitable return of praise, adora- 
tion, and love, for such unmerited mercy. O 
that I could live as I ought, after such experience 
of infinite goodness to me. Some of the very 
persons for whom I have been most interested, 
and have for years been pleading that God would 
bring into his kingdom, have been the subjects 
of conviction and conversion, as I hope — and 
have associated themselves with God's profess- 
ingjpeople." 

JESUS — ALL ! 

June 1, 1817. " Have again had the privi- 
lege of commemorating the sufferings and death 
of my Lord and Saviour. Although my affec- 
tions have been dull to day, yet I trust God has 
enabled me to give myself renewedly away to 
him ; humbly receiving him as my reconciled 
Father in Jesus Christ, — and renouncing every 
other portion but an interest in his most gra- 
cious and well ordered covenant, for time and 
eternity ; rejoicing to accept Jesus Christ as 
my only Saviour, — my Prophet, Priest, and 
King — my Surety, my Shepherd, Guide, Counsel- 



120 MEMOIR. 

lor, Advocate, Righteousness, Wisdom, Strength, 
my All ! !■" 

ABSENCE FROM THE COMMUNION. 

July 7. " I have long been laboring under 
dullness and sloth, both spiritual and temporal, — 
some bodily weakness — and the expectation 
of soon passing through an hour of nature's 
distress and danger. I cannot avoid the fre- 
quent apprehension, in view of my extreme sin- 
fulness and ingratitude, that God will come out 
in judgment against me ; that he will withhold 
from me the light of his countenance, and per- 
haps leave me to pass through the valley and 
shadow of death, without his rod or staff ; to all 
the buffetings of Satan's rage. But O, may I 
not hope in that mercy that has been so fre- 
quently afforded me. God's thoughts are not as 
mine — nor his ways to be measured by my ways. 
Yesterday a season of commemorating the suf- 
ferings and death of my adorable Saviour, by 
this church. Though not present with the dear 
members at the table, yet I thought I partook 
some tokens of his presence and love. Blessed 
be God for my lot in a gospel land. Blessed 
be God for my hopes of salvation. I long to be 
separated from sin. I loathe myself on account 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 121 

of my vileness. My happiness is in Christ 
Jesus. Amen." 

AFFECTION AND PRAYER FOR TWO YOUNG BOARDERS IN 
THE FAMILY. 

Aug. 1, 1818. "God has been placing me 
in a situation of great responsibility, by com- 
mitting, in some measure to my trust, the care of 
two precious immortals. When I think that they 
have probably received from me some impres- 
sions that may help to give a direction to their 
eternal character, I tremble. I have not been 
faithful. I have rather, I fear, been disposed to 
soothe and flatter them in error than to attempt 
any thing like faithful dealing with their souls. 

" O my Father, have I ever dropped one word 
for thine honor before them ? Have I ever car- 
ried them to the throne of thy grace, in the arms 
of my faith and prayer ? O hear and accept. 
O help me to do it now. Let them not rise up 
in judgment to testify against my unfaithfulness. 
O let not these dear young friends (to whom my 
heart is so tenderly attached) be found among 
those who shall be calling to the rocks and moun- 
tains to hide them from thy presence. May I 
improve these sensibilities in importunity and 
11 



122 MEMOIR. 

wrestling for their salvation. O, do not deny 
me. Thou hast bid me ask what I will." 

SOLEMN RENEWAL OF COVENANT. 

Oct. 4. " Have been engaged to-day in the 
most solemn and interesting transaction that can 
claim the attention of a sinful mortal — even that 
of renewing my covenant with the eternal God, 
I have availed myself of the help of Hugh Knox's 
form of renewing covenant, and think I have 
found it a most excellent assistant. I thought I 
felt every word of it at my heart. Last evening 
and this morning I had an abasing view of my 
backsliding and treacherous departure from my 
God ; some new and deeper views of the defil- 
ing nature of sin ; and, I trust, some manifesta- 
tions of the excellency of Christ Jesus, as an 
allsufficient Saviour of sinners. In his office as 
a priest, I have had much delightful contempla- 
tion. How comforting the thought that my 
cause is in the hands of such an advocate ; not 
an high priest who must first atone for his own 
sins, but a spotless one, ever at the throne, al- 
ways acceptable, — who can be touched with a 
feeling of my infirmities. And although I have 
been troubled with wanderincr thoughts, on the 
whole have had a comfortable day. O ! may I 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 123 

be bound by this day's transactions to my divine 
Lord in a manner never to stray again. O 
Jesus, help me to remember the bitterness which 
I have tasted in my late departure from thee. 
Do give me to feel from this time ' the slightest 
touches of sin quick as the apple of an eye.' ' Can 
I touch pitch and not be defiled V no more can I 
commit the smallest sin without losing some 
spiritual comfort in proportion. O make me, 
by thy grace, a more humble and close walker 
with God. O make me to live more entirely 
and constantly by faith in Christ. O may the 
practice of ejaculatory prayer be revived with 
me. And in relative duties help me to walk in 
newness of life. 

6 My bright example and my guide, 
I would be walking near thy side ; 

never let me run astray, 
Nor follow the forbidden way. 

1 love my Shepherd ; he shall keep 

My wandering soul amongst his sheep ; 
He feeds his flock, he calls their names, 
And in his bosom bears the lambs. ' " 

GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

The following is inserted to illustrate the in- 
terest she felt in sermons on the distinguishing 
doctrines of the gospel. 

Nov. 17. " On Sabbath day comforted and 



124 MEMOIR. 

refreshed by the preaching of Rev. Mr. Patrick. 
Forenoon text, Ephesians, 4, 30 : c Grieve not 
the Holy Spirit of God, ivhereby ye are sealed 
unto the day of redemption' Some remarks on 
the equality of the three persons of the adora- 
ble Trinity — or different offices and characters 
maintained by the divine being. God the Father, 
the Creator ; God the Son, the Saviour and 
Redeemer ; God the Spirit, the Sanctifier and 
Comforter. Sinners and saints both grieve 
the Holy Spirit. He often strives with sinners 
to induce them to attend to the things of reli- 
gion; they seem to be almost persuaded to be- 
come christians, but soon return to their busi- 
ness or pleasures, and lose their impressions. 
They often hear the word with some application 
to themselves, but riches, cares, &c, soon 
choke the seed, and it becomes unfruitful. 
Christians grieve the Spirit by departure from 
their first love, by conformity to the maxims and 
customs of this world, &c. &c. 

Sealed unto the day of redemption : — this ex- 
pression sufficient to confute the idea of falling 
from grace — a christian to-day and a sinner to- 
morrow— -not ' sealed' for a day, or a month, or a 
year — but ( unto redemption.' May God in 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 125 

mercy quicken me to a prayful attention when 
hearing sermons. 5 ' 

A RAINY SABBATH. 

Nov. 29. " Very rainy day ; some doubt this 
morning respecting the path of duty — whether 
to attend public worship. When God's house is 
forsaken he is dishonored. Shall I join those 
who wound my adorable Saviour, whose compas- 
sion and forbearance is so unwearied toward me ? 
No, sooner will I suffer some inconvenience and 
hardship to attend on the ministration of his 
word — some sacrifice of ease ? — some exposure 
of health. 

1 Angels, who make the Church their care, 
Shall wilness my attendance there.' " 

SABBATH SCHOOL. 

Sabbath Schools were commenced in this 
town about the year 1817. In the fall of 1818, 
all the children who had attended the Sabbath 
school assembled at the meeting house, for the 
purpose of being publicly addressed. The deep 
interest which Mrs. McFarland felt at the sight 
is expressed is the subjoined extract. Her own 
labors in the Sabbath school will be the subject 
of a subsequent chapter. 

" A delightful view to-day of the children and 
11* 



126 MEMOIR. 

youths assembled, who have attended the Sab- 
bath schools. What a crowd of thoughts ! Im- 
mortals ! Probationers ! Some bearing the seal 
of God's gracious covenant ; others equally en- 
gaging and promising have been denied the priv- 
ilege ! by whom? the author of their life! 
Agents to advance the millenium ! Harriet 
Newells ! faithful missionaries to heathen lands ! 
Others, more laborious and self-denying, patient- 
ly performing the arduous routine of parochial 
duties, where the prophet is almost without hon- 
or ! Must some finally, with all these privileges, 
sink down into eternal sorrow ? God forbid! O 
make these means effectual. Sanctify them 
through thy truth." 

PRAYER FOR MRS. EOWELL. 

The person here named is still living, — but in 
a state of extreme bodily and mental weakness. 
It must be gratifying to her family, friends and 
relations to read the following prayer in her be- 
half. 

Nov. 20, 1820, « I have had (or thought so) 
sweet enlargement in prayer this evening for 
Mrs. Rowell, very sick. O what a dear privi- 
lege is a throne of grace to repair to with all our 
wants. I cannot see this sick friend, whom I 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 127 

love and esteem ; but I can ask for her the sup- 
ports of almighty grace and love,— the smiles of 
my heavenly Father, the least glimpse of which 
will fill the soul with ineffable delight. May 
heaven be open to the view of her faith, — and 
an abundant entrance administered to her soul 
when she shall be called hence." 

GREAT PEACE IN BELIEVING. 

June 29, 1821. " Since the death of my dear 
little Miriam 1 have for many weeks walked in 
extreme darkness; bodily health very low; spir- 
itual comforts still more sunken ; for many days 
almost without hope. But blessed be God, the 
Father of mercies, for the dawning of a happier 
day ! I begin to take some hold of the hope set 
before me in the gospel, and to see again the 
preeiousness of redeeming love, displayed in 
the character of my adorable Saviour, Jesus 
Christ. I can now look with delight on him as 
my prophet, priest and king, and renewedly enter 
into covenant with him, (which in my dark- 
est seasons I did not wish to retract, although 
my evidence was so much obscured.) I would 
hail thee once more, my great High Priest, 
whom I know can be touched with a feeling of 
my infirmities. I have experienced much sympa- 



128 MEMOIR. 

thy from dear christian friends, but I know that 
thy tenderness is infinitely more endearing. 
Theirs, through thy blessing, has been sweetly 
salutary and helpful. Thine I desire to receive, 
as satisfying, efficient, allsufficient. I rejoice in 
thee as my only portion for time and eternity ; 
and would renounce more entirely every idol, 
and entreat thee to captivate every faculty and 
power of my soul. Not only my prophet, priest, 
and king, but the espoused head and husband of 
my heart forever. 

' Infinite love ! almighty grace, 
Prison me round in thine embrace. 5 

O how ineffable the bliss of being pervaded by 
infinite love, in every space which T inhabit. 
What an enrapturing thought, that a holy God 
is every where ! 

' Lives through all life, 
Extends through all extent.' 

Nothing but the repulsive power of sin pre- 
vents every soul of man from being filled with 
the essence of deity. My King, subdue my 
hateful sins. When shall I bask in the sun- 
beams of the eternal love of God ? O divine Spirit, 
breathe upon me something of this flame ; let 
me, O my Father, God, feel for one hour as those 
do who are thus privileged — as the redeemed in 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 129 

heaven feel, or as ano-els. T know the time when 
I had no such desires. Hast thou not created 
them ? satisfy them, thou exhaustless Fountain : 

' For thee I pine, and am for thee undone j 

As drooping flowers, that want their parent sun.' 

What is earth? what are all the endearing 
connections of life, without my God ! With his 
love, and his blessing, they are sweet streams. 
When I do not receive them from him, they bring 
me many a sorrow. It distresses me to think of 
again departing from my Saviour. My treach- 
erous heart I fear will soon lose this relish of a 
Saviour's love. ' Give me to feel the slightest 
touches of sin, quick as the apple of an eye.' 

The last Sabbath a sweet season, privileged 
beyond the common. ' What shall I render unto 
the Lord for all his mercies toward me V May 
this be the inquiry of my heart." 

FAST DAY. 

Mrs. McFarland very conscientiously observ- 
ed the days of fasting and prayer, appointed by 
the chief magistrate of the state. She usually 
recorded in her diary her exercises on these oc- 
casions. The following is a specimen. 

April 4, 1822. " This day has been set apart 
by our first magistrate as the annual season for 



130 MEMOIR. 

fasting, humiliation, and prayer. By God's 
grace I have endeavored to spend it, as much as 
my bodily health and circumstances would per- 
mit, in reading the word of God, and in prayer 
— in confessing my individual sins, — those of 
every member of my family, and people ; in con- 
fessing them, with all their aggravations, and 
spreading them again and again before God ; 
and in pleading with him for the mercies which 
we need. 1 desire humbly to thank and praise 
him for the assistance which I trust he has af- 
forded me at this time, in bestowing something 
of that brokenness of heart and contrition which 
he will not despise ; — in setting before me in an 
affecting point of view many particular sins, and 
enabling me to wrestle with him, who hath all 
hearts in his hands, and can turn them as the 
rivers of water are turned, that he will give me 
true repentance, and turn me from them so ef- 
fectually, as that in these particulars I may walk 
in newness of life, — for the freedom and impor- 
tunity in wrestling for the souls of my children, 
and for all my dear professing christians in this 
place ; and for those who are walking in the broad 
road to eternal ruin. I think I have had more 
freedom and enlargement than I have found for 



EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY. 131 

a long time. O my dear children ! My Fa- 
ther, make them thine. My dear christian 
friends ! make them wrestling and prevailing 
ones with thee ! O for those who are dear by 
ties of gratitude and affection ! O for devoted 
missionaries of the cross! O for the universal 
spread of the Redeemer's cause ! May the 
hearer of prayer hear and answer these my re- 
quests." 

ANSWER TO PRAYER. 

Dec. 24. " I was much comforted yesterday 
by hearing of one, (Dr. B**d,) who has gone a 
distance from this place, and has publicly own- 
ed Christ in the place where he resides. My 
heart rejoiced at the intelligence, because he 
had been a subject of particular prayer with 
me. Shall I dare to conclude that I am a co- 
worker with God ? and that I was inclined to 
these desires of salvation for that soul, by the 
ever blessed Spirit of God ? And when my 
heart longs for the conversion of any acquaint- 
ance, shall I think it is a motion of the Holy 
Spirit, and pray and wait till I find the desire 
accomplished ? O may the Lord enable me so 
to do!" 

In closing these extracts from her diary, it 



132 MEMOIR. 

must be gratifying to the christian reader to be 
introduced to the place of her devotions — and 
to know the hours of the day in which they 
were usually performed. 

Besides her stated times for private devotion, 
early in the morning and in the evening, she of- 
ten retired for prayer about the middle of the 
forenoon. Though it was sometimes difficult 
for her then to leave her business, yet she would 
break away from it — once remarking to some 
one, ' that this was the very time when she most 
needed prayer, — when the perplexing cares of 
life were most liable to trouble her, or to absorb 
her mind and heart. 5 

Sometimes when her care of a young child 
prevented her evening season of devotion, she 
would rise from bed, after her husband and child 
were asleep, and spend her hour in prayer. 

" For many years/ 5 says Mrs. Buxton, " her 
place of retirement was the ' north chamber. 5 
This was the most retired room in the house, 
and in summer the most comfortable. It was 
endeared to her by its being so often the resting 
place of the wayfaring missionary or minister, 
when he turned aside to tarry for a night. She 
felt that the prayers of such visitors had made it 



" PLACE OF DEVOTION. 133 

a consecrated spot. She had sometimes occu- 
pied the room herself, in seasons of sickness, 
and afterwards loved to call to mind the support 
and comfort she had there received. It was a 
large, airy chamber, well shaded in front by the 
tall poplars in the yard, and generally was 
kept rather dark, by the shutters being closed. 
The furniture was simple, and not of modern 
date. At the side of the bed stood the low arm 
chair in which she sat, and her shawl or old 
cloak were generally thrown over it. Near her 
chair stood an old fashioned stand, on which was 
her bible, and sometimes her hymn book, or im- 
plements for writing. This place of her retire- 
ment had a comfortable and inviting appearance. 
One of the earliest of my recollections is of 
going there with her, when too young to attend 
school. There, standing at the side of her chair 
while she knelt before it, I tried to get some con- 
ceptions of the unseen Being whom she was ad- 
dressing. Here we were taken Sabbath after- 
noons in summer, for our catechetical exercise. 
We always went into this room treading softly, 
and suppressing our voices, so often had we been 
told that we must keep still, or be sent out ; and 
from these early habits the room has always had 
12 



134 MEMOIR. 

an air of stillness and quiet. It was the place 
where the female prayer meeting was held for 
several years after its establishment. Since that 
time, it has often been the scene of social prayer 
— my mother inviting one friend to go up 
there with her, and sometimes several. I believe 
that by more blessed saints than one, the north 
chamber ' will be remembered in heaven. 5 " 



CHAPTER VII. 

LETTERS WRITTEN DURING HER MARRIED LIFE. 

Mrs. McFarland's epistolary correspondence 
was never very extensive. She cherished a 
strong attachment to her native city ; visited it 
as often as circumstances would permit, and 
kept up a correspondence with a few friends of 
her youth and family connections in that, place. 
After the death of her husband, her letters were 
more frequent, and to a greater number of indi- 
viduals. The extracts which follow, from let- 
ters written during her married life, will serve 
to illustrate still more fully the various traits of 
her character : — especially, they will show the 
ruling passion of her heart — the love of 
Christ. It is pleasing also to trace in them the 
influence of the female prayer meeting, which 
she attended in her youth ; and in which she 
felt the liveliest interest, until her death. If the 
present members of that prayer meeting shall 
read these pages, may they thank God and take 
courage, in view of the influences which have 



136 MEMOIR. 

flowed out from the hallowed place of their 
meeting, in streams of mercy upon the world. 



FEMALE PRAYER MEETING. 

To Miss F. H. of Boston. 

"Concord, N. H., Oct. 9. 1806. 

" My dear friend : 

" Your last friendly letter has often refreshed 
and animated my spirits. Your progress in 
knowledge and piety makes me ashamed of my 
own deficiency and indolence in all the noble 
pursuits of life. 

" My friend, we know not what is before us ; 
what trials our God will see best to appoint us. 
Let us be careful to secure our interest in ' the 
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the 
world,' and all will be safe. How rich and free 
the gospel offers of salvation are ? Surely, every 
mouth will be stopped and all the impenitent re- 
main guilty before God. Jesus Christ has not 
only died to make it possible that some may be 
saved, but all men, every where, are commanded 
to repent ; and this is the condemnation, that 
light is come into the world, but men have lov- 
ed darkness rather than light. We are prom- 



CORRESPONDENCE. 137 

ised grace for grace. O, let us ' gird up 
the loins of our minds,' and ' lay aside every 
weight/ and so run as to obtain the prize. May 
we be helpers together here — furtherers of each 
other in our way to the kingdom ; and through 
the infinite riches of free grace, be admitted to 
spend an eternity together in praising and serv- 
ing our divine Master. 

" I am happy to hear that you still meet with 
our christian friends at my dear mother's ; a 
' privilege' indeed, to enjoy their friendship and 
be interested in their petitions. None owes 
them more (under God) than your unworthy 
friend. There, in early life, I witnessed the 
power of religion in the hearts of its votaries ; 
there I witnessed the faithfulness and mercy of 
God, as a prayer-hearing and answering God ; 
and from the example and influence of such, I 
hope I have been constrained to believe in, and 
seek, their God and Saviour, as my allsufficient 
portion. 

" Go on, my dear friend, in the path you are 
now walking, and I trust it will prove that of 
the ' just, which shines more and more unto the 
perfect day.' 

" Yours with esteem and affection, 

12*] E. McFarland." 



138 MEMOIR. 

INVITATION TO PERSONAL RELIGION. 

To Mrs. S. H., of Boston. 

" Concord, Nov. 20, 1806. 

" My dear friend: 

" Your situation in life is calculated to pro- 
duce much comfort to yourself; and I hope 
while you share so many temporal blessings, you 
desire and experience the happiness of those 
' whose souls are in health and prosperity.' My 
friend, you have been the subject of many pray- 
ers; and T hope that divine grace which has 
been implored for you, will induce you to pre- 
sent yourself an acceptable sacrifice to God, 
whose you are by every possible obligation. 
Jesus is waiting to be gracious to you, and wit- 
nesses the first motion towards him. The pa- 
rent of every returning prodigal, while we are 
yet a great way off, is represented as hastening 
to welcome us with the best robe. O ! may you 
be the joyful receiver of this allsufficient right- 
eousness — and set your face Zionward. 

" Yours with affection, E. McFarland." 

VIEWS IN SICKNESS — DOCTRINES. 

To Miss F. H., of Boston. 

" Concord, Sept. 9, 1810. 

6i My dear friend : 

" I have recently experienced very largely of 



CORRESPONDENCE. 139 

the divine goodness, in restoring me again from 
sickness to a comfortable share of health. 1 
have been brought very low. For a few hours at 
one time I thought it would be my last sickness. 
O, how vastly important then did religion appear 
to my view. I wanted to have all my friends 
earnestly engaged in a preparation for death. 
My complaints were of a kind that reduced me 
very rapidly ; and when it seemed that the foun- 
dation for life was almost spent, I fainted for 
some time, and the disposition to faint continued 
for two hours. Eternity never appeared so im- 
mediately in view ; an interest in the right- 
eousness of Christ precious beyond expression. 
Let me have an interest in your prayers, my dear 
friend, that this reprieve from death may not 
eventually enhance my condemnation. 

" I am happy to hear that you are settled un- 
der the preaching of Rev. Dr. Griffin. I think 
it important what sentiments we adopt ; and in 
the present state of religious affairs it becomes 
us decidedly to espouse the interest of our in- 
jured Redeemer. I am at a loss to know how 
any can read the scriptures, candidly and im- 
partially, and still deny the divinity of Christ : 
and is it not alarming that any of the preachers 



140 MEMOIR. 

of the gospel do openly declare their indifference 
to the doctrines of total depravity — personal elec- 
tion — of the final perseverance of the believer, 
&x. ? I find, by a sermon lately printed at Bos- 
ton, that one does, if no more. I think, my 
friend, in order to have faith in Jesus Christ, it 
is necessary to be acquainted with his character. 
The first attempt of this kind must introduce us 
to these doctrines. But O let me, with much 
humility and caution, speak of the errors of any. 
I have many fears respecting my own sincerity, 
and need the prayers of my friends in order that 
I may not be deceived at last. 

" I had a very agreeable interview with my 
dear friends of the society when last in Boston. 
I cannot describe to you my emotions when I 
first entered the room where this truly respecta- 
ble number of christians were assembled. I had 
never met with them before, without my dear 
mother. It brought the scene of her death im- 
mediately to my recollection. The pious peti- 
tions of our dear, aged Mrs. Winslow, which 
were ascending at the time, impressed me forci- 
bly with a sense of my unworthiness. I felt that 
God was there, and I must shrink from such 
purity. 

" Yours truly, E. McFarland." 



CORRESPOx\DENCE. 141 

THE TIMES. 

To the same. 

" Concord, Aug. 26, 1812. 

" My very dear friend : 

" Your letters express a degree of piety to 
which I have not attained. In one of them you 
inform me that you have been brought low and 
apparently near death ; that you felt an entire 
resignation, and even a wish to leave this world. 
I think much of death, but have never been de- 
void of a dread of its approach. I have many 
fears of the sincerity of my professions and the 
foundation of my hopes. O, may I not be de- 
ceived in so momentous an affair. Should I be 
found among the many who will say, Lord, Lord, 
have we, &c, — to whom the Judge will answer 
' T never knew you 5 — how, beyond description 
afforravated will be the condemnation of such an 
one ! 

" What is the opinion of my friend respecting 
the times? Do you not think that clouds of 
the most threatening aspect are gathering about 
America? Perhaps 1 am prone to view the dark- 
est shades of the prospect exclusively ; but as a 
nation are not our sins aggravated. Does not 
the breach of the Sabbath, the lukewarmness and 
neglect of discipline in our churches, with the 



142 MEMOIR. 

spirit of infidelity which prevails so much in our 
land, call loudly for the divine vengeance.? All 
this, too, from the descendants of that race who 
were landed in this wilderness — who were nour- 
ished with so much care, and prospered beyond 
example. I feel that we deserve the severest 
chastisements. May infinite mercy mitigate or 
avert them. 

" I believe that I informed you the last 
summer of the attention to religion which pre- 
vailed in some parts of this town. Within about 
fourteen months there have been more than 
eighty added to the church under the care of 
Mr. McFarland. These persons generally reside 
about six miles from us. There have been some 
very agreeble additions, however, from the street 
in which we live, though the number is small. 
I have reason to blush and mourn, under a sense 
of my own stupidity and unprofitableness ; 
but for this I desire to be grateful, namely, — 
that I do feel a sense of my coldness — that I 
have some desires for quickening influences— that 
I do long for christian communion, and to be 
made useful in the vineyard of my Lord and 
Master, if it is in the meanest office. May my 
portion be among the followers of Jesus Christ, 



CORRESPONDENCE. 143 

however poor and despised they may be. Yet 
I know that more are for them than against them, 
and that his cause will finally prevail, even should 
persecutions arise. Yet his promises are suited 
to every trial. As our day is so shall our strength 
be ; and if called to suffer and die, he will make 
his people more than conquerors. 

" My children are healthy — the number has 
risen to four. I feel inadequate to the task of 
rearing plants of such inestimable value as these 
immortals. I can say, Hitherto the Lord has 
helped me. When you write me, do suggest some 
hints respecting this part of my duty. 
" Your truly affectionate friend, 

E. McFarland." 

DEATH OF CHRISTIANS, &0. 

To the same. 

" Concord, July 2, 1813. 

" My dear friend : 

" Your account of Mrs. Homes' death is cal- 
culated to animate the hopes and strengthen the 
confidence of the christian in the Redeemer. In 
the death of christians we may see much of the 
sovereignty of God ; the beams of light and joy 
which are abundantly bestowed on some, we find 
are wholly withheld from others, for whom we 



144 MEMOIR. 

must indulge hopes equally strong. God doubt- 
less has important designs, both toward the dying 
christian and surviving friends, in his dealings 
at such a time. I thought that in the death of 
my dear mother I was taught more of the sov- 
ereignty of God, and our entire dependence on 
him, than I had ever learned before, or could have 
learned in any other way. 

" I hope, my dear friend, that we both realize 
that we are living for eternity. O let us conduct 
always in a manner answerable to the hopes and 
expectations of the christian. 

1 His hand, the good man fastens to the skies, 
And bids the earth roll on, 
Nor heeds her idle whirl.' 

Nothing but religion is a support sufficient 
in view of convulsing nations and the divine 
judgments which are evidently abroad in the 
earth at this time. I want to feel more alive to 
the divine dealings with us. A strange insensi- 
bility seems to pervade all my powers toward this 
subject — but I fear that it is not strange for me ; 
I fear it is habitual. Pray for me, my friend, that 
divine grace may be afforded sufficient to my 
necessities. 

" Your affectionate friend, 

Elizabeth McFarland." 



CORRESPONDENCE. 145 

CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD — MILLENIUM. 

To the same. 

" Concord, August 20, 1815. 

" My dear friend: 

" Your letters have often warmed my heart and 
quickened me in my course. When I had the 
pleasure to see you in January, you flattered me 
with the hope of having a visit from you in the 
spring ; but like many other earthly hopes, it has 
proved delusive. Will you write me soon, and 
communicate some of your spiritual comforts 
and sorrows ; say something to animate my 
sluggish heart. I am filled with confusion when 
I think of the barrenness of my life ; my con- 
formity to the maxims and customs of this vain 
world ; that I am actuated so much by its spirit 
and temper. Is there not, my friend, a very 
criminal conformity to the world among profes- 
sing christians ? At such a time as the present, 
when God is working such wonders in the earth, 
would it not become us to be working entirely 
for him ? O I seem to do nothing for him. If 
I have one talent I fear it is buried in a napkin, 
and I shall merit the reward of the slothful ser- 
vant. Do pray for me, that I may be quickened 
to do something as I ought to do. You are again 
in the enjoyment of mingling in the dear social 
13 



146 MEMOIR. 

circle for prayer. Distinguished privilege ! I 
was, when thus indulged, insensible of its mag- 
nitude, — but now consider it as among the great- 
est blessings of my life. It was there I witness- 
ed the fervor of devotion, and the prayers of 
faith, before I could feel them my own ; and by 
witnessing the consistent lives of those engaged, 
I could see that religion possessed an intrinsic 
excellence ; and, by the blessing of God, I think 
I was drawn to pursue it as the chief good. I 
doubt not but that praying society has been an 
instrument of the greatest good to the world. 
How much it has done in procuring the late and 
present revivals in our colleges, and of sending 
missionaries to the heathen, we never shall know 
till the judgment of the great day. I believe it 
will be found to have a large share. Will you 
think that I complain too much, when I tell you 
that I have been favored but very seldom with 
an opportunity of uniting in private prayer with 
any females since I have lived in this place ? I 
have repeatedly made the proposal of commenc- 
ing a society of this description, to some profes- 
sors, but a plan so novel has not been pleasing 
to them — but God appears at present to be stir- 
ring up some in different parts of the town to 



CORRESPONDENCE. 147 

this effect. Two little meetings are begun at 
parts of the town distant from us, and I have 
the satisfaction of uniting with two young female 
disciples of Christ in my chamber on Wednes- 
day evenings. Pray for us, that we may have 
an unction of the blessed Spirit, and that this 
may be as leaven that shall spread far and wide. 
There is at present something of a revival in 
the town of Boscawen, adjoining us on the north. 
I hope we shall not be passed by. 

" What an interesting age is the present ! Are 
you not filled with wonder and delight to behold 
what God is doing in the earth ? Do not the 
times seem to indicate that the millenial glory 
is already dawning upon us ? Every week, al- 
most, produces some new plan for active bene- 
volence. () that I had the ability to engage in 
them all. How animating is the encouragement 
afforded to the foreign mission ! Already is 
Ethiopia stretching forth her hands unto God, 
and various parU of the wilderness blossoming 
as the rose. The last autumn I had the privi- 
lege of attending the meeting of the General 
Association of this State, where were delegates 
from other States. I was pleased to hear the 
communications of revivals in different parts of 



148 MEMOIR. 

our land — female prayer meetings were honora- 
bly spoken of by a number of the gentlemen — 
and the returns being made from our bible and 
missionary societies at the same time, rendered 
the meeting highly interesting. It appears that 
God is not only exciting women to take an active 
part in building the Redeemer's kingdom, but in 
several instances little children have associated, 
to present their infant offerings. 

" My paper reminds me that I must hasten to 
a conclusion. Do, my dear F., write me soon; 
and when you get access to a throne of grace, 
remember your unworthy friend. O think like- 
wise of my dear children. The care of these 
dear immortals is constantly on my heart. O 
may I find grace to be faithful. My dear S., 
(who was last year brought apparently to the gate 
of the grave, and raised again, to the astonishment 
of her physicians) is somewhat companionable 
for me. She sews and reads with me ; and the 
memoirs of Mrs. Newell and Miss Woodbury 
excite considerable interest in her heart. Will 
you remember me respectfully to your mother, 
affectionately to your sisters, and any members of 
the dear society who you think remember 

" Your unworthy friend, E. McFarland." 



CORRESPONDENCE. 149 

CHILDREN HOPEFUL CONVERSIONS THE TIMES. 

To the same. 

"Concord, Dec. 91, 1815. 

" My very dear friend : 

" Your favor of the 25th ult., and congratula- 
tions on the birth of an infant, I have received 
with much affection for you, and 1 hope grati- 
tude to God, the giver of every good gift, for 
his goodness in bestowing such a friend. 

"I feel that my responsibility is augmented 
by this new charge. When I am continually 
exercised with the requisite care of the bodies 
of my children, and consider that the immortal 
part is of infinitely more importance ; that in 
every hour they are receiving some impression 
from me which will serve to give a complexion 
to a character through a boundless eternity, I 
tremblingly ask, Who is sufficient for this duty ? 
Were it not that the meanest of God's creatures 
may have access to a throne of grace, I must 
despair. It is from thence I derive all my 
strength ; for in me there dwelleth no good 
thing. 

i( I rejoice that I am not forgotten by dear 

Mrs. Waters and Mrs. Mason. I consider them 

among my spiritual mothers, and blush that from 

such advantages as their society affords I have 

13* 



150 MEMOIR. 

made no greater improvement. Mr. McFarland 
and myself have lately been made happy by the 
hopeful conversion of three young ladies in our 
society. They have been among, the gay and 
thoughtless, somewhat distinguished. Two of 
them were for some time in great distress, but 
now express a hope, founded on the righteous- 
ness of Christ. The serious impressions of the 
other are of an earlier date. Her mind for a year 
has been much exercised on religious subjects ; 
her opposition to the divine character very ap- 
parent to herself; the doctrine of election very 
offensive. She said the idea of annihilation 
was much more comfortable. I have had re- 
peated opportunities of conversing with the two 
first mentioned ; have increasing hope that it is 
a real change wrought in them by the Holy Spirit. 
" Our God is indeed a wonder-working God. 
Are you not delighted with what he is doing in 
the world ? — missionaries multiplying, and going 
to the benighted corners of the earth ; revivals 
in our colleges, in number and degree almost 
unprecedented, — and an increasing disposition 
to settle ministers of the gospel in all parts of 
our country. This is the Lord's doing, and 
marvellous in our view. 
" With assurances of esteem, E. McFarland." 



CORRESPONDENCE. 151 

FRUITS OF A REVIVAL. 

To the same. 

" Concord, April 30, 1817. 

" My dear friend : 

" I have heard you say you were fond of pass- 
ing the month of June in the country. This is 
a time when Concord appears perhaps to the 
best advantage, as the General Court hold a ses- 
sion in that month. I hope I shall see you here 
at that time, if not before. The revival of reli- 
gion has abated in some measure, but our soci- 
ety is such as I think would afford you pleasure. 
O my friend, my obligations to our heavenly Fa- 
ther have been much increased by the work of 
grace he has been pleased to perform among 
this dear people by two seasons of harvest since 
my residence here. The former was the first the 
town ever knew. In the latter, many of the 
young and gay have had their course arrested, 
and I trust and believe their feet turned into 
the path of life. Only a little more than two 
years, and there were no prayer or conference 
meetings among us ; now there are several stated 
ones — and three societies for missionary and 
other benevolent purposes. How salutary is the 
influence of true religion to ameliorate the con- 
dition of human life ! May its benign effects 



152 MEMOIR. 

be known in every part of the earth. Are yon 
not delighted with the accounts which we receive 
from time to time of the advancement of the 
Redeemer's kingdom in the hitherto benighted 
corners of the earth ! This is surely the Lord's 
doings and marvellous in our eyes. How sweetly 
are the prayers of our dear mothers answered 
at this time. They were dictated by the Holy 
Spirit. What a privilege to have been trained 
up with such examples of piety before us; to 
have had opportunity of witnessing the wrest- 
ling of these female Elijahs. O what will my 
condemnation be, if I am lost from such advan- 
tages ? Yours with affection, 

Elizabeth McFarland." 

CHRISTIAN WARFARE. 

To Mrs. S. H., Boston. 

" Concord, Dec. 4, 1818. 

" My dear friend : 

" I wish to be remembered to your sisters. Is 
L. with you ? Has she sought and found the 
Saviour of sinners ? If she has not, entreat her 
from me to lay aside every other concern until 
she can say, ' I have found him of whom Moses 
and the prophets did write.' This friend will 
never forsake her ; he will bring consolations to 
her that will solace every sorrow. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 153 

" Does my dear Mrs. H. find herself advanc- 
ing in the divine life. Amidst her worldly pros- 
perity and numerous blessings, is her soul ' flour- 
ishing in the courts of our God V You doubt- 
less find this a warfare. The sinner unawaken- 
ed is led an easy captive in the bonds of Satan. 
When once the soul is convinced of its ruined 
state by nature, and is brought by grace to en- 
list in the service of Jesus Christ, then the con- 
flict begins ; Satan opposes, with all his legions, 
the salvation of that soul. And when we think 
of the weakness of our nature, is it not a won- 
der that we are not overcome ? But our strength 
in the Lord Jesus is sufficient for the contest, and 
he has assured that every true believer shall be 
more than conqueror. Let us strive, not as those 
who beat the air, but as resisting principalities 
and powers. 

" May we keep heaven in our eye — may we 
be stimulated by the recollections of what our 
divine Master has done and suffered. Let us not 
shrink from danger or hardship in his cause — 
let us study and prize his word, and live in hab- 
itual readiness for the summons of death. 

" O, my dear friend, how formidable are the 
three grand enemies of our soul — the world, the 



154 MEMOIR. 

flesh, and the devil. How prone we are to for- 
get watching, and give them advantage. O may 
we have the christian armor always on, and be 
always useful. 

Elizabeth McFarland." 

RECOLLECTIONS OF CHILDHOOD. 

To the same. 

" Concord, Oct. 26, 1819. 

"My dear friend: 

" A favorable opportunity presents of writing 
to Boston, which I readily embrace to address a 
few lines to my dear Mrs. H., the companion of 
my childhood and friend of every age. Do you 
not often recollect the pastimes of our youth, 
and sometimes heave a sigh of regret that the 
time thus spent was not more advantageously 
employed ? A friend, in conversation the other 
day, asked me whether I should be willing to 
live my life over again ? My reply was, that if 
I could perform every duty just as it ought to be 
done, instead of doing it as I had done, I should 
be willing ; otherways not for a thousand worlds. 
This remark I can now apply to those past scenes. 
O that we could inspire the rising generation 
around us with a sense of the importance and 
worth of time, and the certainty that every action 



CORRESPONDENCE. 155 

of every day helps to fix a character for eter- 
nity. Yours, E. McFarland." 

SICKNESS CONSOLATION. 

To Mrs. E.M., Boston. 

" Concord, March 15, 1820. 

" My dear friend : 

" Through the goodness and mercy of God I 
am again able to address a line to you ; a pleas- 
ure with which I did not expect, four weeks since, 
ever again to be privileged. I was at that time 
brought very low, and in the view of physicians 
and other friends, at the brink of the Jordan of 
death. Perhaps you may wish to know what my 
feelings were at that time. For one or two days 
my sins seemed to be set in order before me — 
they appeared innumerable, and of the most 
aggravated description. I could look at nothing 
but my sins. This I think was Friday and Sat- 
urday. On Sabbath morning I began to medi- 
tate on the crucifixion and resurrection of our 
Saviour, and his work of redemption. These 
subjects sweetly occupied my mind for several 
days. I thought of the character of some of his 
followers and attendants at that time. There 
was Mary, out of whom were cast seven devils. 
There w r as Peter, who denied him with oaths and 



156 MEMOIR. 

cursing; and although my sins appeared more 
aggravated than those of any other, yet I saw 
that these would not shut me out of heaven, if I 
had but repentance and faith in this adorable 
Saviour. His character appeared infinitely love- 
ly. The words from Watts' hymns : 

' Jesus, my God, I know his name,' 

were charming, and filled me with delight. O 
how can any one deny the full divinity of Jesus 
Christ ? Methought my whole foundation of 
happiness would be removed if this doctrine was 
not that of the bible. I thought I could cheer- 
fully follow such a master, even should I be de- 
nied an evidence of my own interest in his medi- 
ation. ' Though he slay me, I will trust in him/ 
When I found I was recovering, at some times I 
felt disappointed; at others, pleased with the pros- 
pect of being returned to my family and friends, 
hoping I should do better than I had done be- 
fore. Yours, 

E. McFarland." 

DEATH OF DEA. THOMAS W. THOMPSON. 

To Miss F. H., Boston. 

" Concord, Dec. 14, 1821. 

" I am really mortified, my dear F., to think 
how much time has elapsed since I saw you 



CORRESPONDENCE. 157 

without having written you one letter. I have 
no apology to offer, and you must impute this 
ungrateful silence to an extreme indolence of 
mind : of mind, I say, for although my pen has 
not been employed as much as it ought to have 
been, yet of bodily exercise I have generally 
enough to prevent any remorse of conscience. 

" Our dear friend, Deacon Thompson, has 
been removed from us to brighter scenes, as I 
suppose you have been informed. ' The cham- 
ber where the good man meets his fate is priv- 
ileged beyond the common walks of life.' This 
privilege was mine when he took his flight. I 
received a request from Mrs. T., at about twelve 
o'clock, to come to the house; he expired at 
seven in the evening — tranquil, and firmly ex- 
pressing his confidence in God through the mer- 
its of Jesus Christ. He had for many months 
been apprized that the grim messenger was ad- 
vancing, and steadfastly prepared to meet the 
event, by ' setting his house in order ;' which 
I believe he did in spiritual and temporal con- 
cerns, so that he had nothing to do but to die. 
Mrs. T. exhibited the christian by her deport- 
ment — calmly reposing on the widow's God. 

" I am at present exercised with very sore eyes 
]4 



158 MEMOIR. 

which I am endeavoring to relieve by blisters. 
These little alloys to our comfort serve to teach 
us that this is not our rest. May our title be se- 
cure to that state 

6 Where pleasures all sincere 
Glide on in crystal rills ; 
Where not a dreg of guilt defiles, 
Or grief disturbs the stream ' 

Yours, Elizabeth McFarland." 

DISMISSION OF DR. m'fARLAND. 

To the same. 

" Concord, Nov. 1825. 

" My dear F. : Your favor in March merited 
an earlier answer. It may gratify you to be in- 
formed that it came at a season peculiarly need- 
ful, and was consoling in an hour of trial which 
I was then experiencing. It was just at the time 
of ordaining our young minister, successor to 
my dear husband — whose uniform health and 
firm constitution in former years had been such 
as never to lead me to an expectation that for 
want of it a separation from this beloved people 
would ever take place. But such, my dear 
friend, is the case. It is God's will, and I ought 
to say, ' Let him do as seemeth him good.' I 
think I desire to say it; and sometimes I have 
thought that it was by divine grace the language 



CORRESPONDENCE. 159 

of my heart ; — at other times I find much that 
seems like wishing it might have been other- 
wise ; and for a number of days have been en- 
grossed in reviewing former privileges, and 
saying, ' O that it were with me as in days that 
are past/ 

" Mr. B has married and brought an in- 
teresting, pious, and intelligent young lady to 
us from Connecticut. She is under nineteen. 
We are much pleased with her. Pray for me, 
that I may have wisdom and grace to feel and 
conduct in a right way under this change. At 
present I feel quite as though I had gained a 
prize ; her conduct toward Mr. McFarland and 
myself has been so agreeable. I desire to lean 
on God ; pray for me, that all unworthy as I am, 
I may be enabled to be stayed upon him in all 
conditions. In much affliction, 

Elizabeth McFarland." 

DEATH OF DR. m'fARLAND. 

To the same. 

" Concord, May 23, 1827. 

" My dear friend : 

" Your last letter was truly valuable and com- 
forting to the sorrowful bosom of your friend 
Elizabeth, whom an allwise God has seen fit to 



160 MEMOIR. 

deprive of the companion of her life. Yes, my 
dear F., I now address you a bereaved widow. 
The arm on which I have leaned for so many 
years, is cold in death ! The voice which has so 
often cheered me is forever silent ; and the eyes 
which have looked serenely upon me for many 
years, are closed ! 

" But, my dear friend, I have been comforted 
in this affliction. I have kept about my family 
cares, and in general am composed. Some- 
times a burst of sorrow overtakes me. I have 
thought I had divine support. I have found at 
times, if I am not deceived, strength equal to 
my day — and could testify to the faithfulness of 
God's promises. I have endeavored to take hold 
of them, yes, to grasp them, as all my hope ; 
have found them all yea and amen, sweet, de- 
lightful. Sometimes a view of Canaan seems a 
near prospect ; the Jordan but a step. Some- 
times a view by faith of a crucified, an almigh- 
ty Sacrifice, — a glimpse of the reconciled face of 
my heavenly Father, removes every sorrow, and 
I feel as though I could bare my heart anew to 
the vicissitudes of life, and welcome the cross. 
Again I plunge in sorrow, despond, and almost 
complain of my Father's dispensations. What 



BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 161 

ingratitude ! When I look back on all the way 
by which he has led me, I know it is the rigid 
way ; and were it not for an incorrigible tem- 
per, it would all have been a pleasant path 
through life. I should have received every 
change with calm submission and grateful love. 

that I might now have a right frame of spirit ; 
that this severest stroke might produce the most 
entire effect upon me, and that from henceforth 

1 might walk in newness of life. 

" Yours, Elizabeth McFarxand." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

HER INTEREST IN MISSIONARY, CHARITABLE AND RE- 
LIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The remark of our Saviour, that the tree is 
hwicn by its fruit, was, perhaps, never more 
beautifully illustrated than by the abundant 
"good works" which Mrs. McFarland perform- 
ed, in order to promote the temporal and spirit- 
ual happiness of her fellow men, and to extend 

14 iAj~~.w«i! 



162 MEMOIR. 

through the earth the kingdom of the Redeemer. 
Her devotional character was private ; no one 
knew it, except by inference from what they saw 
in her life. But in her efforts and labors to 
benefit mankind, she could not be altogether 
concealed from observation. Though it is true 
" that her left hand knew not what her right 
hand did," yet her exertions for the welfare of 
others were so various and unremitted as to con- 
stitute a prominent part of her character. These 
exertions were wholly the fruit of her deep re- 
ligious principles — and in this respect are worthy 
of imitation. 

NEW-HAMPSHIRE CENT INSTITUTION. 

As Mrs. McFarland was extensively known on 
account of her connection with this Institution, 
I propose to give a brief history of it, from its 
origin till the present time. 

In a conversation with her about six months 
before her decease, I said, — " Mrs. McF., can 
you give me an account of the origin of the N. 
H. Cent Institution ?" " O yes," she replied : 
"At a time when the funds of the Missionary 
Society were very small, and the ministers en- 
gaged in it were much disheartened, I suggested 



CENT INSTITUTION. 163 

to a few of them at our house, that they should 
form Cent Societies, like those in Massachusetts. 
My suggestion pleased them, and the first so- 
ciety was formed in this town, auxiliary to the 
Missionary Society. I was appointed treasu- 
ress; but then," she added with her characteris- 
tic humility, " had I thought of its ever becom- 
ing an institution for the state, and collecting 
annually so large a sum as it has some years, I 
should hardly have been willing to hold so im- 
portant an office in it." 

" But whence," I asked, " arose your interest 
in a Cent Society?" "I remember well, and 
will tell you. A company of praying women 
used to meet in a large upper room, at my moth- 
er's house, in Boston, once a week. * . * ;; *■ . * 
Although I was young, and not then a professor 
of religion, I was invited to go in to the meet- 
ing. The room was fitted up after my father's 
death, with blinds to the windows, on purpose 
to accommodate the ladies' prayer meeting. I 
recollect that during Election week, in May, a 
number of ministers, Dr. Spring, Dr. Emmons, 
Mr. Sanford, and ' Father Niles,' as they called 
him, came to my mother's, and requested the 
use of that room, to consult together about form- 



164 MEMOIR. 

ing the Massachusetts Missionary Society.* 
They met four or five times during the week, 
and then resolved to form the Society. A num- 
ber of the same ministers put up that week at 
my uncle's, Mr. Simpkins, whose wife was a very 
godly woman, and at her table the plan of a Cent 
Society was proposed, I think by ' father Niles' 
or Mr. Sanford, and was there also agreed upon. 
The ladies who met weekly for prayer were 
greatly interested in this object, and used to^con- 
verse about it and pray for its success. This is 
the way I came to feel so much interest in it." 

In this conversation Mrs. McFarland omitted 
one circumstance, which she had mentioned to 
others, viz : That when wine was set on the 
table, at her uncle Simpkins', and the glasses 
filled for the ministers to drink, it was proposed 
that each one should set by his glass of ivine and 
lay down his cent. It was accordingly done. 
From the same source the thought arose, — what 
a noble sum might be raised to help the Mission- 
ary Society to prosecute its benevolent design, if 
the ladies generally throughout the State w r ould 
lay by for this purpose only one cent a week, 
amounting to fifty-two a year. The precious 

* This Society was formed in 1799. 



CENT INSTITUTION. 165 

thought was not suffered to die at the table of 
christian hospitality and friendship, where it 
originated ; a Plan, or Constitution, for Cent So- 
cieties was devised, composed and put in circu- 
lation in Massachusetts.* 

Mrs. McFarland's suggestion to form Cent 
Societies in New-Hampshire was probably made 
in 1804, and was immediately adopted; for in 
the treasurer's report of the Missionary Society, 
for 1805, the following sums are acknowledged. 

From the Female Cent Society in Concord, the 

value of - - $20 61 

From the Female Cent Society in Hanover, the 

value of - - 7 18 

From the Female Cent Society in Raymond, 6 44 

In the treasurer's report, for 1806, the fol- 
lowing sums are acknowledged : 

Avails of the Female Cent Society. 

From Francestown, - - 4 38 

" Hollis, - - 21 30 

" Dunbarton, - - 7 14 

Avails of the Female Cent Society, delivered 
to the Treasurer by Mrs. Elizabeth McFar- 
land, to be laid out in the purchase of bibles, 
religious tracts, 8fc. : 

From Concord, 14 57 From Pembroke, 14 75 

" Orford, 25 00 " Hanover, 10 12 

" Mason, 7 28 " Salisbury, 4 70 

" Plymouth, 24 48 " Hopkinton, 16 00 

*See Report of the N. H. Cent Institution for the year 1830, 
drawn up by Rev. Abraham Bubnham, of Pembroke. 



166 MEMOIR. 

From this small beginning, the plan gradual- 
ly extended, till in 1809 two hundred and Jive 
dollars were received, from 16 towns; and in 
1812, three hundred and tic enty -three dollars were 
received, from 17 towns, viz : 



ron 


n Pelham, 


11 72 From Exeter, 


16 16 


tt 


Hanover, 


26 50 


tt 


New Ipswich, 


22 50 


tt 


Haverhill, 


20 00 


t( 


Bath, 


17 00 


a 


Concord, 


6 64 


a 


Hanover, 


30 31 


a 


Plymouth, 


5 31 


n 


Chester, 


13 46 


tt 


Pembroke, 


20 66 


tt 


Orford, 


7 00 


tt 


Somersworth, 


50 


a 


Sanbornton, 


15 00 


<t 


Francestown, 


5 00 


a 


Dunbarton, 


8 91 


tt 


Hollis, 


7 04 









The importance of Cent Societies, as auxili- 
aries to the N. H. Missionary Society, began now 
to be fully appreciated by the Trustees. Accord- 
ingly, in 1812 they published and circulated the 
following 

PLAN,, Or CONSTITUTION. 

u TJie New-Hampshire Missionary Society acknowledge 
with gratitude the important aid which they have re- 
ceived from the Female Cent Institution of this State. 
They think, however, this charitable Institution would 
become more extensive and permanent, were its bene- 
factions collected in some way more systematic and uni- 
form. They therefore recommend it to those females 
who feel both able and willing to contribute one cent a 
week to promote the cause of the blessed Redeemer, that 
they subscribe this paper, hereby engaging to make the 
above contribution until they shall manifest to the per- 
son who holds the paper a desire to have their names 
erased. 

" They also recommend, that Mrs. Elizabeth 
McFarland be a General Treasuress, to receive the 



CENT INSTITUTION. 167 

monies from all the branches of the Institution, that she 
receipt for the same, pay it over to the Treasurer of the 
New-Hampshire Missionary Society, and receive his 
receipt. 

u To carry into extensive and successful operation this 
benevolent plan, it is farther recommended, that some 
one female friend to Zion, in every town, take this pa- 
per, and use her influence to obtain subscribers, receive 
the money and pay it to Mrs. McFarland, the treasur- 
ess : and the Missionary Society engage to appoint, an- 
nually, a committee of their body, to examine the ac- 
count of the treasuress of the Cent Institution, to ascer- 
tain the amount received, and the towns from which it 
is paid ; and report the same to this Society, and cause 
the report to be published. 

" From the example of the ancient mothers in Israel, 
pious females have great encouragement to become co- 
workers in extending the boundaries of the Redeemer's 
kingdom. When the tabernacle was erected, all the 
women who were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, 
and brought that which they had spun, to contribute to 
its convenience and ornament. The poor widow in the 
gospel, in contributing her two mites, did of her want 
cast in all that she had ; and < Mary did what she could 
to honor her Lord,' when she poured on his lovely head 
the rich and costly perfumes. For these deeds of benefi- 
cence and love, these pious females obtained the bene- 
diction and honorable testimony of their Lord ; and 
wheresoever the gospel shall be preached throughout the 
whole world, this that they have done will be spoken of 
for their memorial." 

" This Plan received the approbation of the 

female friends of the Missionary Society, and 

was so extensively adopted that the avails of 

cent societies in 1813 amounted to more than 

$700. This encouraging fact being reported, 

greatly animated pious females, and wonderfully 

multiplied cent societies. 



168 MEMOIR. 

" The amount of charity collected from this 
source, was, in 1814, $1,200 and upwards; in 
1815, nearly $1,700, of which $100 were paid 
to the N. H. Bible Society. Here, this river of 
love began to overflow its banks, and, taking 
new channels, to diffuse wider, far wider abroad, 
its healing waters. Bible and Foreign Mission 
Associations, Education and Tract Societies, 
laid their several just claims upon female charity. 
The avails of the Cent Institution became divid- 
ed among different, but all noble institutions; 
and while by this means the resources of the 
Missionary Society were for a time somewhat 
diminished, religious intelligence was more gen- 
erally circulated, the views of the community 
became enlightened, the sympathies of chris- 
tians extended, and the general cause of our di- 
vine Redeemer advanced." 

The amount received into the treasury of the 
N. H. Missionary Society, from the Cent Insti- 
tution, since 1812, is about twenty thousand Jive 
hundred dollars* which added to receipts from 

* The sum paid each year, as ascertained from Annual Reports 
is as follows : 

1813, $797 09 " 17, $1469 34 

" 14, 1424 17 " 18, 912 73 

" 15, 1426 17 " 19, 1765 33 

"16, 1257 79 "20, 790 17 



CENT INSTITUTION. 169 

the same source previous to that time, make 
nearly twenly-tivo thousand dollars; — a sum 
sufficient to furnish missionary labor 2750 
weeks, or 53 years. The vast amount of good 
which has been accomplished by the expenditure 
of this sum among the feeble and destitute 
churches and congregations in New-Hampshire, 
it is impossible to estimate now ; but all will be 
known hereafter. 

Mrs. McFarland held the office of treasuress 
of the Cent Institution till 1820, when she re- 
signed on account of ill health. She was reap- 
pointed in 1827, and continued in the office till 
the time of her death. 

It is remarkable, that neither in her diary, nor 
in the letters written by her which have come 
under my notice, is there a single allusion to the 
Cent Institution, save in the following apology to 
a friend, (1816) for not answering her letter : 
" The cares of a large family, together with the 



1821, 


$547 06 


1830, 


$458 93 


"22, 


666 69 


"31, 


' 616 63 


" 23, 


564 42 


"32, 


775 91 


" 24, 


593 37 


" 33, 


675 94 


"25, 


499 77 


" 34, 


565 22 


"26, 


543 76 


"35, 


434 31 


" 27, 


669 47 


"36, 


649 60 


" 28, 


510 61 


"37, 


538 65 


"29, 


544 42 


"38, 


736 92 




$20,436 87 



15 



170 MEMOIR. 

concerns of the Cent Institution, in which I am 
considerably interested, have occupied my time 
in such a manner as entirely to prevent writing 
to my particular friends." How to account for 
this silence on such a subject, I know not, unless 
we impute it to her christian modesty and hu- 
mility, which never allowed her to bring herself 
into notice. That this was the true reason, ap- 
pears probable from the circumstance that she 
was often publicly commended for the part she 
took in the Cent Institution, and she was afraid 
that pride might secretly steal into her heart. 
This may also explain a sentence in her diary, 
September, 1815, when the Cent Institution was 
in its most prosperous state : " Let me never 
again, by the most secret desire, covet the ap- 
plause of worms ; may an ambitious desire never 
again enter the heart now renewedly devoted to 
God. May I from this time be as it were emptied 
into a new vessel, fitted to honor him." 

Beautiful example of christian modesty! Though 
she dared not to speak of herself, yet her oivn 
works shall praise her in the gates ; and for gen- 
erations yet to come, wherever her name is 



FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY. 171 

known, this, that she hath done, shall be told for 
a memorial of her /* 

CONCORD FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY. 

The second society in the order of time which 
owes it origin to Mrs. McFarland, is the Con- 
cord Female Charitable Society. Most of the 
facts which I deem it important to communicate 
in relation to this Society are thus related by 
Mrs. McFarland, in a report of its proceedings 
which she drew up for the year 1833,f in which 
she proposes to glance at the origin, progress 
and present condition of the society. 

"It was a cold December evening in 1811, 
when our pastor returned from visiting a sick 
family, and said, 'They are very poor, and an 
effort must be made for their relief.' Two or 
three families being notified, supplies were ac- 



* The following is the form now recommended by the Trustees 
of the Missionary Society to be adopted by subscribers to the 
Cent Institution : 

" We, the subscribers, severally agree to pay, as members of 
the Female Cent Society, one cent a week, to aid the cause of 
Home Missions, under the direction and care of the New-Hamp- 
shire Missionary Society." 

| This report was written by Mrs. McFarland, in expectation 
that the secretary of the Society would be absent, and unable to 
prepare one 5 but as she returned in season, Mrs. McF. laid hers 
aside, and never mentioned it. Another example of christian 
modesty ! 



172 MEMOIR. 

cordingly furnished. The circumstance awaken- 
ed considerable sympathy in behalf of the poor, 
which resulted in a plan to provide and keep on 
hand needful articles for their relief, as occasions 
should require. On an evening visit, soon after, 
at the house of Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, 
he said, ' We were greatly obliged for the op- 
portunity recently afforded of assisting the dis- 
tressed. When similar ones should occur he 
would be glad to make the pastor his almoner.' 
The plan of a society was suggested;* it met 
with general acceptance, and at the house of 
Mr. Thompson, on the first Thursday evening 
in January, 1812, the Female Charitable Society 
was organized. It is recollected with grateful 
satisfaction that this worthy man continued its 
friend and advocate while he lived. To him we 
may appropriate a line from the amiable Cowper, 
as a tribute of our esteem : 

' Peace to the memory of a man of worth, 
A man of letters and of manners too ; 
Of manners such as virtue always wears, 
When gay good humor dresses her in smiles.' " 

The Society was organized with twenty mem- 
bers. Mrs. McFarland was chosen first direc- 

* This suggestion was made by Mrs. McFarland, as I am assur- 
ed by several of the original members. 



FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY, 173 

tress, — an office which required much care, labor 
and responsibility ; but which she continued to 
discharge for 20 years in succession ; when she 
was chosen president of the Society, and held 
the office till her death. 

The following is the Constitution originally adopted. 
CONSTITUTION 

OF THE 

Female Charitable Society of Concord. 

Considering our accountability to the Father of mercies, 
for the exercise of those talents which he has committed 
to our trust: Considering likewise the many objects of 
charity which meet our attention, relative to the spiritual 
and temporal wants of our fellow creatures ; and humbly 
desiring to be instrumental in relieving the necessities of 
some : We, whose names are here subscribed, agree to 
form ourselves into a Society for charitable purposes — to 
choose such officers, and establish such rules and regula- 
tions, as may be necessary for effecting the design of 
such an institution. And while objects present which 
are not bounded by any particular town, or even nation, 
we feel that the first claims on our benevolence are from 
those whom Providence has placed among us, especially 
those of the household of faith, who, from whatever 
cause, are deprived of the means of a comfortable support. 

When we read the many incentives to charity, con- 
tained in the Scriptures — as, " He that hath pity on the 
poor, lendeth to the Lord ; and that which he hath given, 
will he pay him again" — " Cast thy bread upon the 
waters, for thou shalt find it after many days" — " Cor- 
nelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine aims are had in 
remembrance before God;" and the assurance of our 
blessed Saviour, that inasmuch as w T e have ministered 
unto the least of his brethren, he will accept it as done 
to himself — We are ready to hope, that our design will 
meet the approbation of many who possess property or 
15* 



174 MEMOIR. 

influence : and while it is presented a feeble plant for 
their protection and nurture, we humbly pray that jt may 
become a vine whose branches shall afford shade and 
nutriment to the latest posterity. 

This Society shall be called. The Female Charita- 
ble Society of Concord. 

The board of officers shall consist of a president, sec- 
retary, treasurer, and five directors; the president, for 
the time being, shall be one of the directors ; each of 
these shall be chosen annually, by ballot. 

It shall be the duty of the president to regulate the 
forms of the meetings, and call occasional meetings when 
necessary : and in case of her absence, the duty shall 
devolve on the senior director who may be present. 

The secretary shall keep a record of all the transactions 
of the Society. 

The treasurer shall have the care of all money, or any 
other property, belonging in common to the Society, for 
charitable uses. 

It shall be the duty of the directors to ascertain, from 
time to time, the proper objects of charity, with the 
nature of their wants : they shall order what supplies 
shall be given to families, or individuals : and draw 
orders on the treasurer for the expense of the necessary 
supplies. 

There shall be an annual meeting of the Society on 
the first Tuesday of January , at which meeting the officers 
for the year shall be chosen. 

The directors of the Society shall hold a meeting on 
the first Tuesday of each month. 

Each person, on becoming a member of the Society, 
shall pay into the treasury the sum of one dollar : the 
same shall be paid annually, as long as she shall continue 
to be a member. 

Donations will be gratefully received from any person, 
either male or female, with a hope that a sufficient fund 
may be soon acquired to enable the Society to extend 
their charity beyond the objects particularly mentioned 
in this Constitution. 

" Our first business/' — continues the Report, 



FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY. 175 

"was to make up bedding and garments for the 
poor ; likewise garments and stockings for child- 
ren of the needy ; while our annual taxes were 
to procure other articles which might be useful 
in sickness. Ardent spirit , from the beginning, 
was never given — ivine, when prescribed by a phy- 
sician, sometimes. Seventeen families were as- 
sisted the first winter. To that and many succeed- 
ing winters we look back with satisfaction, as 
marked with the zeal and enterprize common to 
youth. We industriously sought out objects 
which merited attention, and when such an one 
was announced it was promptly regarded. No 
weather was cold enough to chill our ardor when 
conveying relief to want or sickness ; no obsta- 
cles insurmountable. We would not ' boast as 
those who are putting off the harness ;' yet it 
may be said that no weather prevented these en- 
gagements — wintry storms and the bleak north- 
west served but to urge us forward. 

" Though the immediate object of the Society 
is to relieve the temporal necessities of the poor, 
yet it was among the first wishes of its friends 
to combine with temporal relief, that of higher 
importance ; and the distribution of bibles, tracts 
and school books has from the first been attend- 



176 MEMOIR. 

ed to. We acknowledge, also, that in the youth- 
ful mind of the Society was blended the san- 
guine hope, that at some time we should be able 
to combine with it something like an Orphan 
Asylum. 

" For fourteen years we went steadily onward, 
maintaining generally an inoffensive and retired 
course ; — our reports were made to the Society 
exclusively, in our working room, until the year 
1826, when the following circumstance induced 
us, though with much timidity, to take a more 
conspicuous place. Two gentlemen of the bar, 
who boarded with one of our directresses, heard 
of our approaching anniversary. They express- 
ed an opinion that it would be for the interest 
of the Society to have the meeting public, and 
an address on the occasion ; which one engaged 
that the other should prepare, while he would 
aid the object by calling public attention to it. 
Our first orator was Mr. James Whittle.* 

" In the summer of 1830, a school in the 
neighborhood called " The Colony," was main- 
tained by the Society. Twenty-seven childen 
attended. Their improvement at the time was 



* Since 1826 there has been an annual address, and a collection 
taken to aid the objects of the Society. 



FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY. 177 

truly gratifying; but at the expiration of six 
months it was relinquished from pecuniary con- 
siderations. 

" For several years, a class has claimed at- 
tention which has drawn considerably on our re- 
sources, viz. : children to be fitted for Sabbath 
schools. Many were found who wished to at- 
tend, but who could not be suitably clad without 
charitable aid ; and although we have in this 
case drawn upon ourselves almost the censure of 
helping the indolent and intemperate, yet while 
the effect on the children is found to be salutary, 
perhaps the appropriation should not be regretted. 

" In the distribution of the Society's alms, we 
have found many a gem amid the rubbish of sur- 
rounding neglect; — instances of affection and 
filial obedience, which have drawn the involun- 
tary tear, and inspired emotions even of re- 
spect. May we mention one or two : 

" A small boy was seen by one of the Socie- 
ty's agents, bearing water up a considerably steep 
hill ; it was noticed that one foot was shielded 
with a good boot, while the other, uncovered, 
was pressing the sharp stones. Tn answer to the 
inquiry, ' how it came about V — with a face that 
seemed to show all the principles of kindness, 



178 MEMOIR. 

he said, — ' Why, ma'am, I had two, and Robert 
had na'ry one, and I give him one of 'em. 5 

" A little girl died in the autumn of 1828, 
whom the Society aided in clothing for Sabbath 
and day schools. She had been noticed as an 
obedient and promising child. When death 
drew near, she wished to have the neighboring 
women called in. As they stood around her 
bed she begged the forgiveness of each one. 
They told her she had been a good child ; they 
had nothing against her. She said, * I feel that 
I have done wrong in many things, and want 
every body to forgive me.' Then she wished 
the neighboring children called in, and made a 
similar request of them. Afterwards she begged 
her parents to be kind to each other ; expressed 
a hope in the mercy of God, and peacefully de- 
parted. 

" A larger girl died the last winter who gave 
pleasing evidence of preparation for death. The 
conversation of persons who were profane and 
noisy so pained her, that she requested to have 
her bed carried from the house, saying, ' she had 
rather die on the snow than to hear them' — while 
with no more strength, she could hear the con- 
versation and prayers of the minister who visit- 



FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY. 170 

ed her, with great satisfaction and without ap- 
parent weariness. 

" Had we the delineating hand of Hannah 
More, or the finely descriptive pen of Rev. 
Leigh Richmond, these pages might bear some 
' Annals of the Poor' worthy of attention. We 
have seen the furrowed cheek of age a channel 
to grateful tears — the consumptive smiling with 
emotions of pleasure, or expressive of obliga- 
tion too powerful for utterance. * • f * ■ * 

" And now, dear friends, in looking back over 
some traces of our path, although it does not 
appear of that broad and richly enamelled char- 
acter of some other societies, do you wish it ob- 
literated from the map of general philanthropy? 
Reaching this point, shall we now unnerve the 
arm of exertion ? Shall we look about for some 
arbor of repose, or castle for perpetual rest, after 
these petty toils, responsibilities and anxieties ? 
Shall the idea of disbanding obtain among us ? 
It was not named or thought of at the outset; — 
our small vocabulary contained no such term. 
Shall we not defer its admission to a future an- 
niversary ? Shall we not rather be veterans in 
the service of our Master, and wait an honora- 
ble discharge? 



180 MEMOIR. 

"In our Master's house are vessels of every 
size, which all have one supporter. With the 
assurance which he has left us, that a cup of 
cold water given for his sake shall not be unre- 
warded, may we not take encouragement to go 
forward ; to increase our efforts as God in his 
Providence shall enable us ? If it is but one 
tear that we can lessen of the general cup of hu- 
man sorrow, let us thankfully remove that one, 
and say, 

' Behold thy waiting servant, Lord.' " 

The above extracts clearly exhibit the views 
and principles on which she acted in relation to 
this species of charity. Perseverance in doing 
good was a striking trait in her character. She 
never relinquished any benevolent enterprize 
which, after due deliberation and prayer, she had 
undertaken. How great the amount of good 
which she with her associate " sisters of char- 
ity" accomplished by this patient continuance in 
well doing, may partly be estimated by the state- 
ments in the subjoined note. * 

I only add, that in her visits to the poor and 





* EXPENSES OF THE SOCIETY. 




1812, 
"13, 

"14, 


$23 28 1815, 
45 43 " 16, 
37 07 " 17, 


$38 96 
45 30 
45 81 



FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY. 181 

afflicted Mrs. McFarland did much more than 
carry temporal relief. She went as an angel of 
mercy, to sympathize with them in their sorrows ; 
encourage them under trials : to tell them of a 
Saviour, and to guide them in the way to heaven. 
She would sit down, and kindly converse with 
them about their souls, and if circumstances 
rendered it proper, she would pray with them.* 
Her " charity covered a multitude of sins," so 
that it was thought by some she did not make 
proper discrimination between the vicious and 
the virtuous poor ; but gave to the former, when 
it was probable that they would abuse it to their 
own injury. Such were her own feelings to- 
wards others who were in any want or distress, 



1818, $40 89 




1829, 






$86 74 


" 19, 25 26 




" 30, 






91 87 


" 20, 22 11 




"31, 






31 23 


"21, 29 65 




"32, 






140 35 


"22, 41 87 




" 33, 






45 85 


" 23, 31 27 




"34, 






80 05 


" 24, 46 30 




"35, 






94 26 


« 25, 26 18 




"36, 






80 50 


"26, 67 6L 




" 37, 






81 01 


" 27, 55 73 




"38, 






93 27 


" 28, 77 55 












The number of families assisted 


each year is on 


an average 


about 23 3 though many of 


these 


are the 


same 


from year to 


year. 












* She prayed only with females or children 


, and 


in 


the absence 


of men. 












16 













182 MEMOIR. 

and so great her self-denial and sacrifice of per- 
sonal comfort to relieve them, that it was some- 
times said, her only fault icas that she loved oth- 
ers better than herself. But by her charitable 
efforts she was known as the friend of the poor, 
and much beloved by them. Instances would 
frequently occur in which they would show their 
gratitude to her personally. Once, she engaged 
a man, of Irish family, to saw wood. When 
he came to do the work she said, " What can 
you afford to do it for?" " O, ma'am," he re- 
plied, " as cheap as any body." She repeated 
the question; but he still replied, " As cheap 
ma'am, as any one." After he had finished, she 
offered him pay, which he refused to take, say- 
ing, " My woman told me not to tax you any 
thing, because you was so good to us." 

HER INTEREST IN FOREIGN MISSIONS AND OTHER 
BENEVOLENT OBJECTS. 

In reading Mrs. McFarland's diary I frequent- 
ly found a record of her feelings in respect to 
Foreign Missions, and other benevolent enter- 
prizes of the age. At one time she says : 

" O that I could do something for God ! A 
school mistress among Cherokees ; A. B. C. 



FOREIGN MISSIONS. 183 

Javians, or little ones in India. But I will not 
ask any thing of God, but a disposition to im- 
prove the trust committed to me. Give me, O 
my Father, humbly to stand in my lot, and re- 
commend religion to my family by faithfulness 
and consistency of life. 55 

Again : " Found much comfort in an op- 
portunity of seeing and conversing with an in- 
teresting young man, who has devoted himself 
to promote the dear Redeemer's cause among 
the heathen in distant lands ; which agreeable 
interview has seemed to enkindle anew some 
desire to promote this grand object. What can 
I do, a feeble woman in such a cause 1 I pray 
God to make use of me. He can advance to 
usefulness the meanest of his creatures. May 
my heart beat warmly toward it. May my tongue 
and hands, and every power, be used by God in 
doing something to promote so important an ob- 
ject. Another pleasing opportunity, the last 
week, of seeing and conversing with some who 
are engaged in promoting the cause of religion. 
Will God accept my thanks V 

At another time, after the meeting of the Gen- 
eral Association : "I thank thee, O my Father, 
for what my eyes have seen and what my ears 



184 MEMOIR. 

have heard, in the last week, of thy wonderful 
works to the children of men. Surely this is 
the Lord's doings and wonderful in my eyes. I 
have heard of the prosperity of Jerusalem — the 
success of bible societies and missionary socie- 
ties, and the accounts of the state of religion in 
our land. O, my God, art thou indeed permit- 
ingthe female friends of Jesus to minister to his 
cause? Point us but to the path, and enable us 
to run in the ways of thy commands. We were 
first to offend thee ; may we be the most zealous 
and faithful to serve thee. I have heard of many 
female associations for prayer, and heard them 
honorably mentioned. The Lord's name be 
praised." 

The interest in the cause of missions, express- 
ed in the foregoing extracts from her diary, 
formed a prominent trait in her character, and 
was cherished till her latest breath. To pro- 
mote the Redeemer's kingdom among the heath- 
en, she deemed no sacrifices too great. In an- 
swer to inquiries relative to her zeal and self- 
denial in this cause, Mrs. Buxton says : " My 
mother's attention was directed to the cause of 
foreign missions when the news came of the 
formation of the London Missionary Society. 



FOREIGN MISSIONS. 185 

Her mother's family were intimately acquainted 
with that of a Mr. Grew, who had removed from 
England within a i'ew years previous to 1798. 
Mr. G. was a subscriber for an English magazine. 
When this magazine brought over the account of 
the formation of the London Missionary Society, 
and its sending out a company of missionaries to 
the South Sea islands, Mrs. Grew sent the mag- 
azines to my grandmother, who had the articles 
read in the family. She and Mrs. G. would re- 
joice together at what was beginning for the 
conversion of the world. My grandmother re- 
marked, that her beloved minister, Dr. Eckley, 
had every Sabbath prayed that the time might 
soon come when the ' wolf and the lamb should 
lie down together/ &c, but that no one had 
thought of doing any thing to bring about that 
period. She felt that this event was the dawn of 
millennial glory, and that the bright day would 
soon be ushered in. It was by hearing these good 
women converse together, that my mother first 
imbibed a kind of missionary spirit ; not indeed 
of that sanctified and elevated character, which 
she afterwards possessed, but which led her to 
read with interest all accounts of missionary 
operations that came into her hands." 



180 MEMOIR. 

After she came to Concord, she felt a deep in- 
terest in the operations of the societies which 
then existed. The American Board was not 
formed till some years afterwards. But as soon 
as that was formed, she entered with all her heart 
into the measures proposed for the conversion of 
the heathen. She was, it is believed, the first 
one in Concord whose heart was touched with 
the missionary spirit. Being on a visit at Bos- 
ton, about the year 1812, she heard Dr. Griffin 
preach a sermon on Foreign Missions, after 
which a collection was to be taken. In the 
course of his sermon he urged the duty of self- 
denial, and spake of the offerings " of bracelets, 
and ear-rings, and rings, and tablets and jeivels 
of gold, that were made by both men and women, 
as many as were willing-hearted," to aid in build- 
ing the tabernacle, Ex. 35 : 22. She, not hav- 
ing as much money with her as she wished to 
give, in an unobserved manner lifted her hand to 
one ear, and took out a large ring which she 
then wore ; next she put up the other hand, and 
took out the other ring, and deposited them both 
in the contribution box. The rings were of gold, 
though not of great value ; but in the published 
account of the sum contributed, particular men- 



A PURSE FOR GOD. 187 

tion was made of them. It is probable they were 
the first ever contributed for that object in this 
country ; at least she had never heard of any 
being given before. 

About this time, she began to appropriate 
one tenth of all the money that she received for 
her own use, to benevolent purposes. This mon- 
ey was laid by in a purse, or fancy-box, — a pres- 
ent from one of her friends. On the outside of 
the box was written in her own hand, " Conse- 
crated to pious purposes ;" and on a paper inside, 
" This purse I now stile, a purse for God, not 
to be confined to any particular object, but to be 
held sacred to charitable purposes. I determine 
to devote a tenth of all the money that God shall 
give me (besides what my husband allows me for 
family expenses that I do not so clearly call my 
own) to this purse. E. M'F." 

On the same paper was written : " Five dol- 
lars have been sent to Union Academy from this 
purse ; four and some cents to the Foreign Mis- 
sion, besides some smaller donations to objects 
of individual charity. " This was many years 
ago. In the latter years of her life, besides con- 
tributing liberally, (considering her means) to 
the various objects of private and public charity, 



188 MEMOIR. 

she made her son William a life member of the 
New-Hampshire Missionary Society, by the pay- 
ment of $30,00 ; and her son Andrew a life 
member of the New-Hampshire Bible Society, 
by the payment of the same amount. A few 
years ago she sent a valuable present of books 
to a youth named Asa McFarland, who was 
supported at the Mission Seminary in Ceylon by 
ladies in Concord. * 

I enquired of Mrs. Buxton, whence her moth- 
er obtained the means of contributing so liberally 
to charitable objects '? She replied : 

" During my father's life, he supplied her with 

money to pay her subscriptions to the various 

societies to which she belonged and for Occasion- 
ed 

al contributions. She, however, saved some- 
thing when she could, from the money with which 
she defrayed her own private expenses, for the 
purpose of doing good. My father, during the 
latter part of his life, supplied her with a cer- 
tain sum of money every week, with which to 
purchase a part of the supplies for the family. 



*This youth became hopefully pious, and accordingto the last 
information from him, was an interpreter for the British Govern- 
ment at Manditeripo. A young female named Elizabeth McFar- 
land, was also educated at one of the mission stations, at the ex- 
pense of ladies in Concord. 



CHARITABLE DONATIONS. 189 

With his approbation, she saved a tenth part of 
this, and contrived to make up the deficiency by 
her prudent care of the stores she purchased. 

" After his death, she considered herself a 
steward of what came into her own care, and 
always endeavored to ascertain how much she 
could possibly give for benevolent objects. 
Whenever she received money, she regularly 
laid by a tenth part, though this was not all she 
gave. I believe that when she attended the 
meetings of the General Association she often 
gave all she had with her, except what was ne- 
cessary to defray her expenses home. And 
w T hen her beloved pastor, or any other christian 
friend, carried her to and from the place of meet- 
ing, and saved this expense to her, she felt 
that she had gained so much for the object so 
dear to her. By thus consecrating a part of all 
she received, she was generally prepared to do 
something for whatever object was presented. 
The money which she expected to be called on 
to pay, was put up and labelled. This conse- 
crated money was kept in a little fancy box, her 
* Purse for God.' The last time I looked into 
this precious little box, it contained a small sum 
of money, and a plain gold ring, which she had 



190 MEMOIR. 

owned from childhood. It was thought by some 
of her friends, that she gave too much; but she 
said, that if she should begin life again, she 
would try to do more ; and that this plan of giv- 
ing secured the blessing of God upon what she 
had. 

" When she read the essay entitled, " Mam- 
mon," she said that she thought she was giving 
all the money which duty required, but that when 
he spoke of the time which should be spent in 
the service of God, she felt that she had many 
short-comings to repent of. 

" She sought to accomplish all she could for 
the cause of Christ, by inducing others to give, 
who were able to do more than she could. When 
she went about for the purpose of collecting mon- 
ey for benevolent objects, 1 believe she obtained 
something at almost every house. She was never 
frightened or discouraged when she heard ob- 
jections raised, or unfavorable insinuations re- 
specting the use made of the money after it was 
obtained ; but with meekness, yet decision, she 
would make such statements as she thought 
necessary, and say, ' If you will read the Mission- 
ary Herald, or some such publication, you will see 
that the best possible use is made of the money.' 



CHARITABLE DONATIONS. 191 

She often received something from those who at 
first expressed a determination to give nothing 
for such objects. Sometimes a woman would 
tell her that she should be glad to give some- 
thing, but that she was not in the way of having 
money. Mother would ask her, if there was not 
something which she could call hers — the pro- 
duce of the farm or dairy ; and if she had, she 
would offer to purchase it for the use of her own 
family. In this way she collected a great deal 
for such objects, and did much to awaken a be- 
nevolent spirit in others." 

It may be added, she uniformly collected more 
for missionary purposes, out of a given district, 
than any other person could do. 

The last offering to Foreign Missions which 
she made was a few weeks before her death, 
to aid in fitting out the Rev. H. S. G. French for 
his mission to Bankok. The ladies who were 
soliciting funds for the object called on her son's 
family, in the other part of the house ; but as she 
was very sick, concluded not to present the sub- 
scription paper to her. The subject, however, 
being incidently mentioned in her hearing, she 
said, ' O, I had forgotten that; I shall consider 



192 MEMOIR. 

it my privilege to contribute something.' She 
then sent a dollar, as her subscription for the 
object. 

CONCORD FEMALE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY. 

We have already seen how desirous Mrs. 
McFarland was to establish a female prayer 
meeting. This desire of her heart was not fully 
accomplished till the year 1816, though previous 
to that time she succeeded in persuading " two 
or three" to unite with her in such an exercise. 

In explanation of the : blowing account from 
her own lips of the origin of this prayer meeting, 
I would state that it is customary for the pastor 
of the church, after the females are assembled to 
go in and open the meeting with prayer, and 
then withdraw; also, that since the organiza- 
tion of the South Church in this village, two 
meetings of this kind are held, at the same hour, 
to accommodate the female members in each 
church ; but that twice a year they unite, in or- 
der to keep alive and strengthen that spirit of 
christian union and love which eminently dis- 
tinguished them when they met in one circle. 
The hour of this meeting was just passed ; Mrs. 
McFarland, confined to her room by sickness^ 



FEMALE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY. 193 

had sent a request to the sisters, to be remem- 
bered in their prayers ; and the pastor, on with- 
drawing from the meeting, called to visit her. 
She was reclining on her bed, conversing in a very 
affectionate manner with one of her neighbors 
As soon as this neighbor retired, Mrs. McFarland 
inquired with much interest respecting the meet- 
ing. This led to the following conversation : 

" How long is it, Mrs. McF., since that prayer 
meeting was established ?" 

" About twenty-three years ; — I remember it 
was begun in February." 

" Do you recollect what led to the establish- 
ment of it r 

" O yes, so far as I was concerned. During 
a sickness which I had about that time, I thought 
I had not tried hard enough to establish a prayer- 
meeting ; and I resolved that I would try once 
more. At the same time, the Lord favored us — 
there began to be more attention to religion. 
Mr. McFarland said he wished to see more of a 
spirit of prayer in the church : and I asked him 
if he would approve of a female prayer-meeting, 
here, once a month. He said, yes ; and the 
meeting was then commenced. Eight or nine 
at first attended. Some of them withdrew af- 
17 



194 MEMOIR. 

ter a little while ; but the Lord inclined others 
to come in, and so our number has been gradu- 
ally increased till the present time." 

" And I presume you have found them very 
profitable meetings?" 

" O, yes ; they have been a great bond of union 
to us. We have become well acquainted with 
each other's religious feelings, and taken a deep 
interest in each other's welfare." 

" You have often met the Saviour there?" 

"Yes; he is all in all to christians in such 
meetings." Then pausing a moment, she repeat- 
ed a stanza of Watts' beautiful hymn, on the 
Titles of Christ : 

" Is He a fountain ? there I bathe, 
And heal the plague of sin and death ; 
These waters all my soul renew, 
And cleanse my spotted garments too.' " 

This interview was then closed with prayer. 

To commence a prayer-meeting may seem to 
many a matter of small moment and of easy ac- 
complishment ; but not so with Mrs. McFarland. 
With her it was a serious concern. For years 
she had sought in vain to accomplish it ; and when 
she had the prospect of succeeding, she wished 
to lay the foundation of it so deep in the faith 
and covenant pledges of the members, as to ren- 



FEMALE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY. 195 

der it permanent. Hence, as soon as practica- 
ble, the following was adopted, as the 

CONSTITUTIOxV OF THE CONCORD FEMALE RELIGIOUS 
SOCIETY.* 

Instituted September 3, 1816. 

PREAMBLE. 

To promote christian knowledge, piety and comfort, 
we, the subscribers, do hereby form ourselves into an 
Association by the name of the Concord Female Re- 
ligious Society, and agree to govern ourselves by the 
following Articles of Faith and Practice. 

ARTICLES OF FAITH. 

Article 1. We believe thatthereis one God, in three 
persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, self-existent and 
eternal. 

Art. 2. That the scriptures of the old and new Tes- 
tament are given by the inspiration of God, and that 
these furnish the only certain rule of faith and practice. 

Art. 3. That according to the scriptures, God main- 
tains a holy government over all creatures; overruling 
all events for his own glory, and the greatest good of his 
moral kingdom. 

Art. 4. That God created man upright, in his own 
image ; but man being left to the freedom of his own 
will, fell from this estate, and therefore all by nature are 
in a state of guilt, condemnation and ruin. 

Art. 5. For the recovery of mankind from their con- 
demnation and ruin, Jesus Christ took on him the form 
of a servant, suffered and died, and made a complete 
atonement, so that whosoever believeth in him shall not 
perish, but have eternal life. 

Art. 6. For the recovery of mankind from the do- 

* The Articles of Faith are the same as were then used in the 
church. The Constitution is similar to one previously adopted by 
a Female Society in Pembroke. It is signed by 25 members ; but 
since the number of praying women has increased, and the 
meeting is regarded as permanently established, many hav« come 
into it without signing the Constitution. 



196 MEMOIR. 



minion of sin, it is necessary that they be renewed by a 
special influence of the Holy Ghost, working faith in 
them, and thereby uniting them to Christ in their effect- 
ual calling. 

Art. 7. Though true believers maybe left to commit 
great sin, whereby it is necessary that they be exhorted 
to stand fast in the faith ; yet they will not fall into final 
condemnation, but be kept by the power of God through 
faith unto salvation. 

Art. 8. When the work of redemption shall be ac- 
complished, there will be judgment passed upon all 
men ; and the finally impenitent will be doomed to ever- 
lasting punishment, and the righteous will be received 
to life eternal. 

Art. 9. That the Sacraments, Baptism and the 
Lord's Supper, are institutions of Christ; that Baptism 
is the token of God's gracious covenant, and the Lord's 
Supper is an ordinance by which believers are bound to 
shew forth his death until he come. 

Art. 10. That they who have believed in God should 
be careful to maintain good works, and make their faith 
manifest by a humble, prayerful and holy life. 

ARTICLES OF PRACTICE. 

Art. 1. We will meet in the afternoon of the last 
Friday in every month, at a time and place agreed upon 
by the members, and always close before evening. 

Art. 2. When we are convened, and have begun our 
meeting, not a word shall be spoken or a remark made 
of a secular nature ; but all our enquiries and observa- 
tions shall respect religious subjects. 

Art. 3. A principal object shall be to worship God; 
every meeting shall, therefore, be opened and closed 
with prayer, and as many intermediate prayers shall be 
offered as may be thought suitable and convenient, by 
the members. 

Art. 4. There shall be chosen, annually or oftener, one 
member, and an assistant, to officiate in case of her ab- 
sence, whose duty it shall be to preside in the meetings : 
to select matter to be read, and to keep the records of the 
Society. 



FEMALE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY. 197 



Art. 5. The sacred scriptures and well chosen pieces 
on religious subjects, doctrinal, experimental, and prac- 
tical, shall be read in the meetings, and there shall be 
opportunity for observations to be made and questions to 
be asked, the strictest order to be observed. 

Art. 6. It shall be the duty of the members to com- 
municate to the Society such information as they may 
have obtained, by reading, observation, or otherwise. 

Art. 7. It shall be an object with us to pray for the 
church of which we are members, especially fcr any 
who may be in peculiar trials ; for the ministers of 
Christ ; for the outpouring of the Spirit, the revival of 
pure religion, and the universal prosperity of the Re- 
deemer's kingdom. 

Art. 8. We will consider it a duty sacredly binding 
upon us to tell one another of our faults, and to watch 
over one another with all humility, meekness and love. 
Art. 9. We will esteem it our duty and privilege, 
and we engage to exhort one anolher in the spirit of 
christian modesty : punctually to attend the meetings, 
unless prevented by the providence of God. When 
any is proposed to be added to our number who may not 
be a member of the Church, she shall stand propound- 
ed from one meeting to another ; and if agreeable to 
each member, she shall add her name to the rest. 

Art. 10. We strictly engage that none of the trans- 
actions of the Society shall be mentioned in any of our 
families. 

Art. 11. As no society can exist without order, and 
as we profess to worship the God of order> as he is found 
to be in all Churches of the saints, we solemnly engage 
strictly to adhere to the foregoing articles, relying on 
God for strength to perform the duties therein enjoined. 
And now we desire to look unto the Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, that he would be pleased to grant 
unto us, according to the riches of his glory, to be 
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man ; 
that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we, 
being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to com- 
prehend, with all saints, what is the breadth and length 
17* 



198 MEMOIR. 

and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, 
which passeth knowledge, that we may be filled with 
all the fullness of God, and that our blessed Saviour 
may afford us, in our associate and individual capacity, 
his gracious presence, and in our humble attempts to 
honor him, sanctify us to his own service and glory. 

In testimony of this, our solemn engagement and 
united prayer, we hereunto subscribe our names. 

This Society was very dear to Mrs. McFar- 
land as long as she lived. She was never absent 
from the monthly meeting, unless detained by 
the providence of God; and when there she 
was always ready to take her part in the exer- 
cises. How meek and humble her demeanor ; 
how mild and persuasive her remarks ; how fer- 
vent, copious, varied, importunate, her prayers ; 
how often she was dissolved in tears of contrition 
or wrapt in the spirit of love and devotion, will 
never be forgotten by those whose privilege it 
was to meet with her. 

It may be added, to the above enumeration of 
societies in which she bore so distinguished a 
part, that she felt a lively interest in most of the 
other benevolent and religious objects which 
for the last twenty years have enlisted the chari- 
ties and prayers of christians. She rejoiced 
greatly in the success of efforts to bring forward 
and educate young men, of piety and talents, for 



VALUE OF THE GOSPEL. 199 

the gospel ministry ; was an attentive reader and 
distributer of religious tracts ; favored the cause 
of African Colonization ; was much interested 
in the Seamen's Friend Society, and a very 
devoted member of the Maternal Association. 

As she desired and aimed to do good by every 
means in her power, she " had it in her heart" 
to write a Tract for publication. Among the 
unfinished writings which she left, is one, design- 
ed for a tract, on the Value of the Gospel to 
Mankind; from which the following extract is 
taken : 

" Is then the gospel infinitely important to 
every individual of the human species ? Have 
any received it; loved it; been made happy by 
its influence ; rejoiced under the severest suf- 
ferings, from its consolations ; triumphed over 
death, through its power — even death in its most 
terrific form 1 Then why is there not more done 
to convey its treasures to all our race ? Alas ! 
alas ! The answer is cold, and tardy in its ap- 
proach — and well it may be so, considering 
what the answer is : a want of means ! want of 
pecuniary aid ! money ! money ! O, tell it not, 
— shall I say in the streets of Askelon ? No — I 
will say, let us blush to tell it in the gentle breeze 



200 MEMOIR. 

of evening — to whisper it to the companion of 
our midnight hours ; lest our adversaries may 
hear it, and exult; lest the heathen on Africa's 
or India's shores should catch the desponding 
sounds ; — lest it should reach the valley of the 
West, and discourage some of our adventurous 
pioneers. Let us confine such a reply till it is 
smothered in eternal stillness ! What — chris- 
tians want means — pecuniary aid ? Christ's 
ministers want means ? Where are the promis- 
es ? Who hath said, Lo, I am ivith you alio ays, 
even unto the end of the tvorld ? — Go, 'preach the 
gospel to every creature? If Christ has promis- 
ed his presence, what means can be wanting 1 
Has he not all hearts in his hands ? How were 
the children of Israel supported in their march, 
for forty years? Is not God the same, yester- 
day, to-day, and forever ? His promises, yea 
and amen ? Then why may not his servants trust 
in him ? He says, According to your faith, be 
it unto you. Why not then go forth clad with 
gospel armor — no encumbering wardrobe — but 
as David to the combat with Goliath ; with that 
simple instrument, the Bible, in the name of the 
living God, and make their way. * * * 



CHAPTER IX. 

HER LABORS AS A SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHER. 

Mrs. McFarland did not become a teacher in 
the Sabbath School till after the death of her 
husband. She was then induced, by much 
persuasion, to take a class of young ladies. Her 
reluctance to engage in this new service arose 
from the humility which was so beautiful a 
trait in her character : she remarking afterwards 
to her pastor, with tears, " that she had made 
so poor an improvement of her advantages, that 
she felt incompetent to teach a class that had 
been trained from childhood in the Sabbath 
School." But in this, as in all other services, 
others judged better of her than she did of her- 
self : Rather, it should be said, her humility 
gave her the pre-eminence. Entertaining so 
humble an opinion of her competency, she was 
the more studious and prayerful, that she might 
get her lessons well, and profit those whom she 
endeavored to instruct. So highly were her in- 
structions prized, that it was esteemed a great 
privilege to be in her class. 



202 MEMOIR. 

To render our Sabbath Schools interesting 
and profitable, various plans have been adopted 
within ten years past. Sometimes we have used 
the " Union Questions;" sometimes selected 
topics from the Old or New Testament, and had 
them printed, with a few scriptural references, 
on small cards ; sometimes studied a partic- 
ular portion of scripture in course, leaving 
the teachers to hear the lessons recited, and to 
ask such questions as they thought proper. In 
this way, we have studied a portion of the 
Psalms, the greater part of the four Gospels, the 
Acts of the Apostles, and several of the Epistles. 

That Mrs. McFarland always met her class 
icell prepared to teach them, was generally 
known ; but her labor and diligence in preparing 
her lessons were not known, either to her pastor, 
the superintendents of the school, or even to her 
class, till brought to light after her death. 
Among her writings were found about fifty sheets 
of paper, folded neatly in octavo form, closely 
written, with questions and answers, on her Sab- 
bath School lessons. The questions were al- 
ways original with her ; she sometimes remark- 
ing, when the " Union Questions" were used, 
i that she found them a help to her, but she 



EFFORTS IN THE SABBATH SCHOOL. 203 

could not feel that she had got her lesson well, 
merely to follow them. 1 

In answer to enquiries of her daughters, how 
their mother prepared for the Sabbath School, 
I have received the following pleasing particu- 
lars : 

" From our earliest recollection she was in 
the habit of devoting a great portion of time to 
the study of the Scriptures. She would some- 
times sit down, and read without much study, a 
number of chapters, — perhaps a whole book, — 
or the history of some particular event. At 
other times, she would take the ' Family Bi- 
ble,' and study each verse carefully with the 
references. She derived much comfort from 
the latter mode, often saying, i the bible seems 
like a mine of gold ; the more we search, the 
more treasure we find. 5 

" When she took a class in the Sabbath School 
she pursued the study of the sacred volume 
much as she had been accustomed to do, except 
that she took more pains to read such commen- 
taries as were within her reach. These, with 
' Brown's Dictionary of the Bible,' she always 
used in preparing to meet her class. She wrote 
out her lesson in questions and answers. The 



204 MEMOIR. 

answers were very full, containing such remarks 
as she wished to make, and the references she 
thought most striking. The references which 
she mostly followed were Dr. Scott's. 

" The time she devoted to her lesson was 
never less than three hours, and seldom as short 
as that. We have often known her to count 
ten and twelve hours thus spent in the course of 
a week. She always found the lesson much 
longer than she could study as thoroughly as she 
wished, and the time with her class very short. 
Once, when returning to her own pew, with her 
bible in her hand, she said to her beloved pew- 
neighbor, Mrs. Kent, — ' Well, we must leave the 
lesson here, but I hope we shall yet have a thou- 
sand years to spend in studying together upon 
this one portion.' " 

To exhibit, in the most satisfactory manner, 
her preparations for the Sabbath School, T shall 
now present the reader with several specimens 
of her lessons, as written by her, — simply re- 
marking, that no alterations have been made in 
them, either as to language or sentiment, ex- 
cept to abridge. 1 present them thus, to show her 
remarkable attainments in scriptural knowledge, 
and also the perspicuous manner in which she 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 205 

could express her thoughts. They are fair speci- 
mens of her usual preparations ; but are select- 
ed on account of the importance of the subjects 
to which they relate. — 

The Sabbath, 

Exo. 20 : 8. 

What commandment is here recorded ? 

The fourth. 

What day in the fourth commandment does 
God bid us remember ? 

The Sabbath day. 

For what purpose 1 

To keep it holy. 

What, in the words of this commandment, im- 
plies that it had been before known ? 

Remember. 

What is meant by the word Sabbath 1 

Rest. 

What do you understand by the word holy ? 

What is set apart to the service of God. 

How shall the Sabbath be kept holy ? 

From the Assembly Catechism. ' By a holy 
resting all that day/ &c. 

What example have we of the manner in 
which God would have the Sabbath kept, in Ex. 

16 : 22, 23 ? 

18 



206 MEMOIR. 

Their gathering a double quantity on the pre- 
ceding day. 

Why is it reasonable and proper that some 
portion of our time should be set apart for the 
service of God ? 

We are his subjects. He is qualified to make 
laws for the government of the universe ; such 
laws as are best adapted to their good and hap- 
piness. It is proper, as an imitation of his ex- 
ample, and because he blessed the Sabbath. 

Who has appointed the exact time positively ? 

God. 

Where do you find the institution of the Sab- 
bath ? 

Gen. 2 : 3. 

Could an institution thus originating be only 
for the Jews ? 

It could not. It was instituted years before 
the time of the Jews. 

What words of Christ intimate that it was of 
universal obligation ? 

Mark 2 : 27. The Sabbath was made for man, 
and not man for the Sabbath. 

What evidence have we, in Isaiah 56 : 6, 7, 
of the Lord's delight in an observance of the 
Sabbath by all people ? 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 207 

That the stranger who joined himself to the 
Lord, and kept the Sabbath holy, should be 
made joyful in his service, and their offerings 
should be accepted. 

How does God regard the interests of his 
creatures in the institution of this day ? 

He thus provides a day of rest for man and 
beast from labor, and an opportunity for man 
to prepare for the rest of heaven, by hearing 
the gospel, reading the scriptures, &c. &c. 

What do you learn of his merciful designs in 
Exo. 23 : 12 ? 

That beasts of burden may rest ; that persons 
employed and strangers journeying, may rest and 
be refreshed. 

What sort of people generally disregard and 
profane this day? 

All openly vicious persons. Drunkards, pro- 
fane swearers, and ungodly persons, are never 
found among those who keep the Sabbath. 

What may we thence judge of its influence on 
the heart and life? 

We may conclude that its tendency is to 
sanctify the heart, greatly improve the morals, 
and that persons who observe it strictly must 
become good members of society. 



208 MEMOIR. 

What is this day called in Rev. 1 : 10 ? 

The Lord's day. 

How many days were given to man to labor ? 

Six days. 

What was he required to do on those days that 
he might give the Sabbath entire to God 1 

All his work. 

Does this imply that he must positively labor 
all those days, and do nothing else? 

It is an allowance of so much time ; not an 
injunction. 

At what times especially inconvenient were 
the Israelites commanded to rest 1 

Ex. 34 : 21. In earing time and in harvest 
thou shalt rest. 

What is the seventh day declared to be 1 

The Sabbath of the Lord thy God. 

Who has declared himself ' Lord of the 
Sabbath V 

Jesus Christ. 

Which day was expressly designed as the Sab- 
bath ? 

The seventh. 

Why was the christian Sabbath changed to 
the first day of the week ? 

Because the Dispensation was changed from 
the Old to the New Testament. % 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 209 

What do you understand by Dispensations ? 

The two different methods of revealing the 
truths of the gospel before and after Christ's 
death. 

What by the gospel, or New Testament Dis- 
pensation ? 

The term gospel signifies good tidings. It 
exhibits the covenant of grace to men; freely 
offers to them Jesus Christ, and all his salvation 
and righteousness — to be received by them, even 
the worst, without money and without price. 

What was implied in the Old Testament Dis- 
pensation ? 

The covenant of works. 

What were its demands? 

Perfect holiness of nature and life ; though 
it admitted sacrifices which were typical of a 
saviour. 

How are the demands of the law answered by 
the gospel ? 

By bringing near, and giving us Jesus Christ 
as our righteousness ; thus in Mm we answer its 
demands. 

Is, then, the law done away by the gospel ? 
No. As a covenant it must be preached to alarm 
and drive men to hear the glad tidings of salva- 
18* 



210 MEMOIR. 

tion to them in particular. It is thus a school- 
master, to bring us to Christ. 

What additional subject of thankful medita- 
tion have christians on this day? 

The resurrection of our blessed Saviour. 

What texts show that Christ's disciples were 
in the practice of assembling on the first day of 
the week ? 

John 20 : 19. The disciples were assem- 
bled on the first day of the week, &c. Acts 20 : 
7. On the first day of the week, the disciples 
came together to break bread, &c. 1 Cor. 16 : 
2, the Corinthian christians were desired to 
lay by their sacred charities on the first day 
of the week. 

What direction is given to parents ? 

To restrain their children from work. 

How is it binding on those who have servants ? 

To restrain them from labor, and allowing 
them time to serve God. 

What does it prohibit those from doing who 
have cattle ? 

They must not labor. 

To whom is this commandment further ex- 
tended? 

The stranger providentially with us. 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 211 

Is any person in the employment of another 
excusable for setting aside God's command, and 
working to please his employer, if not absolute- 
ly necessary ? 

He is not. He had better displease all his 
fellow-creatures combined, than break one of 
God's commands. 

Can you bring scripture to show that God can 
avert their anger from us ? 

Prov. 16 : 7. When a man's ways please the 
Lord, &c. 

What should parents and masters require of 
those under their care, besides refraining from 
work? 

They should require them to attend public 
worship. See Lev. 19 : 30. Ye shall keep my 
Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary — holy, 
or sanctified place. The other part of the time 
in more private religious duties. 

In what manner is it unlawful to employ cat- 
tle on this day ? 

In labor. 

Is it lawful to use horses in conveying people 
to places of public worship ? 

If necessary. 

Is it lawful to use animals in travelling on this 
day 1 



212 



MEMOIR. 



In absolute necessity. 

What do you learn from Nehemiah 13 : 15 — 
22, of the regard which strangers not of the 
seed of Israel were expected to pay to the Sab- 
bath ? 

They were to be compelled to abstain from sell- 
ing on that day. 

Where is the propriety of keeping our minds 
so entirely free from worldly concerns ? 

That we may worship God in spirit and in 
truth. 

How did our Lord exemplify the acts which 
might be performed on the Sabbath ? 

See Luke 13 : 14—16. 

Should this cure which our Lord performed 
on the Sabbath induce us to send for physicians 
on that day, in preference to other days ? 

The time of physicians should be considered 
sacred, and their obligations to worship God as 
great as other men. They should not be called 
upon except in extreme cases. 

What work did the Lord complete in six days 1 

The work of creation. 

What did he on the Sabbath ? 

He rested the seventh day and hallowed it. 

What is meant by " hallowed" ? 

Set apart for holy use. 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 213 

What blessings under the Old Dispensation 
were promised to those who honored the Sab- 
bath? 

See Isa. 5S : 13, 14. 

What was the punishment for the Jews' 
breaking this law? 

See Exodus 31 : 15. 

Was this punishment ever inflicted ? 

See Numbers 15 : 32—36. 

What is said in Heb. 10 : 28, 29, of the 
greater guilt and danger of those who sin wil- 
fully under the gospel dispensation ? 

He that despised Moses' law died without 
mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how 
much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be 
thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot 
the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of 
the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an 
unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the 
spirit of grace. 

What punishments did God threaten to bring 
upon the Jewish nation for breaking the Sab- 
bath ? Lev. 20 : 32—35. 

And I will bring the land into desolation ; 
and your enemies which dwell therein shall be 
astonished at it. And I will scatter you among 



214 MEMOIR. 

the heathen, and will draw out a sword after 
you ; and your land shall be desolate, and your 
cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her 
Sabbaths as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be 
in your enemy's land; even then shall the land 
rest, and enjoy her Sabbaths. As long as it lieth 
desolate it shall rest ; because it did not rest in 
your Sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. 

Has God set aside his own day now, or is he 
still jealous of his honor, and careful that it 
should be kept ? 

God is unchangeable. The human heart is 
the same as it was when this law was given. 
The same reasons exist for the observance of 
the Sabbath, together with the motives which 
result from the resurrection of the Saviour ? See 
reasons in Assembly's Catechism. 

What motives of self interest make the Sab- 
bath a burden to many ? 

Amos 8 : 5. The same which induce them to 
hasten the time when they may sell their goods ; 
which induce them to use scanty measures to 
increase their earthly goods. 

Do men gain property by so doing ? 

No. They expose themselves to the curse of 
God on all their possessions. 

Is this command binding on you ? 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 215 

Unquestionably. If nations received punish- 
ment for the breach of it, certainly individuals 
must expect punishment. 

What evidence does unwillingness to keep the 
Sabbath give of the state of the affections toward 
God? 

It shows alienation from him and enmity. 

The Blessedness of those who consider the Poor. 
Psalm 41 : 1—5. 

Was the care of the poor enjoined under 
the Old Testament dispensation ? 

Yes. Deut. 15: 7 — 11. If there be among 
you a poor man of one of thy brethren, within 
any of thy gates, in the land which the Lord 
thy God giveth thee, thou shall not harden thy 
heart nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother : 
But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him. 

Did Job regard the poor 1 

Yes ; 29 : 12—16. 31 : 16—20. If I have 
withheld the poor from their desire, or have 
caused the eyes of the widow to fail ; or have 
eaten my morsel myself alone, and the father- 
less hath not eaten thereof; if I have seen any 
perish for want of clothing, or any poor with- 
out covering — then let mine arm fall from my 



216 MEMOIR. 

shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from 
the bone. 

Among the maxims of Solomon, are there 
any incentives to the duty of caring for the poor ? 

Prov. 14 : 21. 19 : 17. He that hath pity on 
the poor lendeth unto the Lord ; and that which 
he hath given will he pay him again. Eccs. 11 : 
1, 2. Cast thy bread upon the waters ; for thou 
shalt find it after many days. 

Is this duty recommended by either of the 
prophets 1 

Yes. Isa. 58 : 7 — 11, showing the nature of 
an acceptable fast, says, ' Is it not to deal thy 
bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the 
poor that are cast out to thy house ? when thou 
seest the naked that thou cover him, and that 
thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh V 

What does our blessed Saviour say on the 
subject of caring for the poor ? 

Luke, 14 : 13, 14. But when thou makest a 
feast call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the 
blind, and thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot 
recompence thee ; for thou shalt be recom- 
pensed at the resurrection of the just. 

What does St. Paul say on the subject ? 

In writing to the Corinthians, to stir them up 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 217 

to a liberal contribution for the poor saints at 
Jerusalem, 9 : 8 — 14, God is able to make all 
grace abound toward you ; that ye always, having 
allsufficiency in all things, may abound unto every 
good work. 

What argument does he use with them? 

That their compliance in this duty would not 
only supply the want of the saints, but occasion 
many thanksgivings to God. 

Do any other apostles discover an interest in 
this cause? 

Yes. Paul, in writing to the Galatians, tells 
them that James, Cephas and John, had given 
to him and Barnabas the right hand of fellow- 
ship, and wished them to remember the poor. 
The same which (says Paul) T was forward to do. 
Gal. 2 : 10. 

Does our Saviour, in his description of the 
last judgment, intimate that those who have at- 
tended to this duty will be particularly regarded ? 

He does. Matt. 25 : 34—39. Acts, 20 : 35. 
Paul, in taking leave of the elders at Miletus, 
and committing the flock unto them, says, ' I 
have showed you all things, how that so laboring 
ye ought to support the weak, and to remember 
the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ' It 
19 



218 



MEMOIR. 



is more blessed to give than to receive.' Dr. Scott 
says: " This traditional speech, so suited to the 
character of him who ' being rich for our sakes 
became poor, that we through his poverty might 
be rich,' would not have been preserved to us, 
if it had not thus been committed to writing." 
What is the blessedness attached to this duty ? 
That God will ' deliver such in time of trou- 
ble,' — and reward those who consider the poor, 
and help them. Heb. 6 : 10. Paul says, ' For 
God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and 
labor of love which ye have showed toward his 
name, in that ye have ministered to the saints 
and do minister. 

Did our Saviour expressly promise to reward 
those who gave to poor saints ? 

Yes. A cup of water only, given in his name, 
will be remembered. ' Inasmuch as ye have done 
it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye 
have done it unto me.' 

Is there any threatened judgment unto those 
who shew no mercy 1 

Yes. James, 2 : 13. For he shall have judg- 
ment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy ; 
and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. 

How does the Lord preserve his people and 
keep them alive? 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 219 

Ps. 33 : 19. To deliver their sons from death 
and to keep them alive in famine. 91 : 3 — 7. 
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of 
the fowler and the noisome pestilence. 

Can you relate a case ? 

God preserved the lives of his children through 
seasons of long fasting, such as Moses at three 
different times ; forty days before he received the 
first tables of the law ; other forty for the sin of 
Israel making the golden calf; and forty when 
he received the last tables. Deut. 9 : 9, 18, and 
10 : 10.— Exo. 34 : 28. Elijah fasted forty days 
in the wilderness of Arabia. I. Kings, 19 : 8. 
He was also sustained at the brook on the east 
or west bank of Jordan, and fed by ravens. 
The widow's scanty provisions were lengthened 
to sustain her about two years. Ninevites fast- 
ed three days. Esther, Mordecai, and other 
Jews, fasted three days. 

' Strengthen him upon the bed of languishing' 
— how 1 

Ps. 68 : 20. He that is our God is the God 
of salvation ; and unto God the Lord belong the 
issues from death. Relate a case of one raised 
from languishing. Hezekiah, Peter's wife's 
mother, the father of Publius raised by Paul, &,c. 



220 MEMOIR. 

See a contrast of one who sought life, or restor- 
ation, by a heathen god, 2 Kings 1 : 6 — 16. 

Believers are not always restored from sick- 
ness. How are they strengthened on the bed 
of languishing otherways ? 

2 Cor. 4 : 15, 16. But though our outward 
man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day 
by day. 

Who was restored from sickness nigh unto 
death, and raised up, from God's compassion to 
St. Paul ? 

Epaphroditus. 

Fourth verse, David prays for healing mer- 
cies. Is it the duty of christians to pray for the 
sick? 

James 5: 15, 16. 

The Sin of Nadab and Abihu, 

Lev. 10: 1—11. 

Which of the sons of Aaron are mentioned 
in this chapter? 
Nadab and Abihu. 

What were the names of Aaron's other sons? 
Ex. 28 : 1. Eleazer and Ithamar. 
What was done by Nadab and Abihu ? 
They offered strange fire before the Lord. 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 221 

What is meant by a censer ? 

A golden vessel, somewhat in the form of a 
cup, with a handle, wherewith the priests carried 
fire and incense, and put them on the altar. 

What is meant by strange fire 1 

Not that which God had commanded : 16th 
chap. 12 verse, they are commanded to take the 
coals from off the altar. They took other fire, 
probably from under the peace offerings. 

Wherein consisted the sin of Nadab and Abi- 
hu? 

Their irreverence of God's commands. They 
were elated with their distinction. They should 
have waited for orders from Aaron. It was 
never practised for two priests to offer incense 
at once. This was not the time to offer it. 

What is written concerning all the require- 
ments of the law ? Deut. 12 : 32. 

1 What things soever I command you, observe 
to do it ; thou shalt not add thereto, nor dimin- 
ish from it.' 

Of what should we here learn to be careful, 
in approaching God, or attempting to serve him ? 

We should learn to approach him with reve- 
rence, and in that way only which he has ap- 
pointed, — through a mediator. 
19* 



222 MEMOIR. 

What judgment came upon Nadab and Abihu 
for neglecting God's commands, and following 
their own inventions? 

There went out fire from the Lord, and de- 
voured them, and they died. 

What became of them ? 

They were carried without the camp and bu- 
ried, probably in their priestly garments, which 
had been defiled by their disobedience, &c. 
Mishael and Elzaphan were Levites. 

Was this a just punishment ? 

I should think it was. As every direction had 
been given so particularly for the worship of the 
tabernacle, they appear to have had no excuse 
for their presumptuous conduct. 

What made their punishment necessary at 
that time ? 

This was the first forming of the Old Testa- 
ment church, and their example would have 
been very pernicious to their successors. 

Is there an example of God's justice in cutting 
off daring sinners, at the opening of the New 
Testament church ? 

The case of Annanias and Sapphira. 

What was the particular aggravation of the 
sin of Nadab and Abihu ? 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 223 

They were supposed to have been intoxicated 
in part, as appears from the command, Lev. 10 : 
8,9. 

What words of the Lord did Moses then re- 
peat to Aaron ? 

1 1 will be sanctified in them that come nigh 
me, and before all the people will I be glorified/ 

What is meant here by coming nigh the Lord ? 

The priests were especially meant. 

Had the priests been warned respecting their 
approaching to God in their official duties ? 

Yes. Chap. 8 : 35.— 21 : 6.-22 : 9.— Exo- 
dus 14 : 4.— 19 : 22. 

Is the same reverence and godly fear necessary 
in all who worship God? 

Heb. 12 : 28, 29. Wherefore we, receiving 
a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have 
grace whereby we may serve God acceptably, 
with reverence and godly fear ; for our God is a 
consuming fire. 

Had Nadab and Abihu thus sanctified and 
honored God ? 

They had not. 

How did Aaron bear this visitation of divine 
justice ? 

He held his peace under this most afflictive 



224 MEMOIR. 

stroke, from the consideration of the justice, 
wisdom and love of God, and his sovereign right 
to dispose of him and his as he saw good. 

Was this right in Aaron ? 

Yes. It was true submission. 

What is written in Psalms 39 : 9? 

' I was dumb, I opened not my mouth ; be- 
cause thou didst it.' David probably wrote this 
during Absalom's rebellion. 

What were the words of Eli when he heard 
of the Lord's threatened judgments upon his 
family. I. Sam. 3 : IS. 

' It is the Lord ; let him do what seemeth him 
good/ 

What are we taught in this history respecting 
the character and requirements of God ? 

That he is a holy and a just God ; that we 
must approach him with humble reverence, unit- 
ed with filial confidence ; that our zeal in his 
worship should not be the vehemence of our 
own selfish passions, calling for fire on our op- 
ponents, but the fruit of the divine Spirit. When 
God is pleased to employ us in any useful ser- 
vice, we should be peculiarly watchful over our- 
selves, and earnest in prayer, to be kept humble. 
Distinctions and honors are dangerous to the 
christian. 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 2£5 

Have you ever ran thoughtlessly and without 
reverence into his presence 1 

Doubtless we all have. 

How should the thought of this judgment 
influence your conduct in future ? 

I should seek earnestly for a sense of the par- 
doning love of God, through the atonement of 
Christ's blood; his gracious promises, and the 
consolations of the Holy Spirit, in order to wor- 
ship and serve a holy God. 

Duties of Wives and Husbands. 

I. Pet. 3: 1—7. 

Why does the apostle give directions concern- 
ing the duty of wives and husbands? 

Because it was a matter of great importance 
to the credit of the gospel. 

Is it agreeable to the law of God that obedi- 
ence should be shown to husbands ? 

It was one of the first laws after the first trans- 
gression of woman, that she should be in subjec- 
tion to her husband. Gen. 3 : 16. Eph. 5 : 
22—24. I. Cor. 7 : 10—12. 

Show an example of disobedience, and tin 
effect. 

Est. 1 : 16—20. 



226 MEMOIR. 

Why should this great care be taken respect- 
ing the deportment of the wife ? 

In order to win over such husbands as did not 
obey the gospel. 

Show some scriptures concerning the danger 
of those who do not obey the gospel. 

II. Thes. 1 : 7, 8. The Lord shall be revealed 
in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them who 
know not God, and that obey not the gospel 
of his son, Jesus Christ. Heb. 5 : 9. Christ 
being made perfect became the author of salva- 
tion to all them that obey him. Abraham's faith 
was obedience to God's word. Won, gained, 
brought within the influence of the gospel. St. 
Paul makes it a supposable case. I. Cor. 7 : 16. 
Or how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou 
shalt save thy husband. Col. 4 : 5. Walk in 
wisdom toward them that are without. 

What is said of those who win souls ? 

Prov. 11 : 30. He that winneth souls is wise. 

Is this sometimes a very difficult work? 

Prov. 18 : 19. A brother offended is harder 
to be won than a strong city. 

Does our Saviour give directions concerning 
christians endeavoring to gain those who are 
offended ? 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES, 227 

He does, Matt. 18 : 15. Moreover if thy 
brother trespass against thee, &,c. St. Paul also 
directs that great sacrifices must be made to 
bring others under the influence of the gospel. 

I. Cor. 9 : 19—22. James 5 : 19, 20. 

2d verse. Chaste conversation ? 

Habitual deportment such as the gospel re- 
quires. Phil. 1 : 27. Only let your conversa- 
tion be as it becometh the gospel of Christ : that 
whether I come and see you, or else be absent, 
I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in 
one spirit, with one mind, striving together for 
the faith of the gospel. I. Tim. 4 : 12. Be 
thou an example of the believers, in word, in con- 
versation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 

II. Pet. 3: II. 
Coupled with fear ? 

Reverence — Eph. 5 : 33 — and the fear of 
God. 

3d verse. Whose adorning? 

It is noticeable that the two chief apostles 
treat on this subject as very important in the char- 
acter of women. I. Tim. 2 : 9, 10. 

Where is there a character in scripture, the 
reverse of good, mentioned respecting orna- 
ments. Prov. 7 : 10. Isa. 3 : 16. II. Kings, 



228 



MEMOIR. 



9 : 30. Jezebel painted her face, and tired her 
head, &c. 

4th verse. Hidden man of the heart ? 

Inward adorning 

Psa. 45 : 13. The king's daughter is all glo- 
rious ivithin. Matt. 23 : 26. Our Saviour 
denouncing woes against the Pharisees — cleanse 
first that which is within the cup and the platter, 
that the outside may be clean also. Luke 11 : 
40. Ye fools ; did not he that made that 
which is without, make that which is within 
also ? Rom. 2 : 29. But he is a Jew who 
is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the 
heart, in the spirit and not in the letter ; whose 
praise is not of men, but of God. 7 : 22. For I 
delight in the law of God after the inward man. 
II. Cor. 4 : 16. For though our outward man 
perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by 
day. ' Not corruptible, ornament of a meek, 5 &c. 
Psa. 25 : 9. The meek will he guide in judg- 
ment ; the meek will he teach his way. 

Meekness 1 

Temper humble and submissive to the will of 
God. Isa. 14 : 4. Matt. 5 : 5. Blessed are the 
meek; for they shall inherit the earth. 11 : 29. 
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for 



EFFORTS IN THE SABBATH SCHOOL. 229 

I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find 
rest unto your souls. Matt. 21 : 5. Tell ye the 
daughters of Sion, behold, thy King cometh unto 
thee, meek. 

II. Cor. 10: 1. Gal. 5: 23. Eph. 4: 2. 
Tit. 3: 2. James 1 : 21. 3: 13, 17. 

Quiet spirit ? 

Psa. 131 : 2. Surely I behaved and quieted 
myself as a child that is weaned of his mother : 
my soul is even as a weaned child. 

It being so frequently urged by the apostles. 
Paul to Thessalonians, I. 4 : 11. And that ye 
study to be quiet, and to do your own business, 
and to work with your own hands, as we com- 
manded you. II. 3 : 12. In giving them fur- 
ther directions, he says, ' we command and ex- 
hort, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quiet- 
ness they work and eat their own bread.' I. 
Tim. 2 : 2, Paul exhorts that prayers, supplica- 
tions and intercessions be made for kings, gov- 
ernors, &c.; that we may lead quiet and peacea- 
ble lives. 

In the sight of God of great price ? 

For any qualification that is acceptable 
with God we must look within. I. Sam. 16 : 
7. Psa. 147: 10, 11. Luke 16 : 15. 
20 



233 MEMOIR. 

5th verse. Holy women ? 

Prov. 31 : 10. A virtuous woman ; for her 
price is far above rubies. 30. A woman that 
feareih the Lord, she shall be praised. Those 
who ministered unto him of their substance, he 
allowed to be with him. Luke 3 : 2, 3. Acts 
1 : 14. Those who continue in prayer with the 
disciples. 9 : 36. Dorcas full of alms-deeds 
and good works. I. Tim. 2 : 9, 10. Those 
who adorn themselves in modest apparel, not with 
broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array ; 
but (which becometh women professing godli- 
ness) with good works. 5 : 10. Well reported 
of for good works — brought up children — lodged 
strangers — washed the saints' feet — relieved the 
afflicted, if she have followed every good work. 
Tit. 2 : 3, 4. The aged women, likewise, that 
they be in behaviour as becometh holiness; not 
false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers 
of good things : That they teach the young wo- 
men to be sober, to love their husbands, to love 
their children. I. Sam. 2: 1. My heart 
rejoiceth, &c. 

What encouragement have women to trust in 
the Lord 1 

Jer. 49 : 11. Leave thy fatherless children, 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 231 

I will preserve them alive; and let thy wid- 
ows trust in me. A command and promise. 
Luke 7 : 32. And behold a woman in the city 
which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus 
was at meat in the house brought an alabaster 
box of ointment, &,c. I. Tim. 2 : 15. Not- 
withstanding she shall be saved in child bear- 
ing, if they continue in faith, and charity, and 
holiness, with sobriety. 5 : 5. Now she that 
is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, 
and continueth in prayers night and day. Heb. 
11: 11. Through faith also Sarah judged him 
faithful who had promised. 

6th verse. 

Gen. 18 : 15. Sarah, though commended for 
her faith, was not commended when in the slavish 
fear which induced her to deny the truth. She 
is commended for reverence towards her hus- 
band. 12th verse. 

Afraid with any amazement ? 

Tsa. 57: 11. Dan. 3: 16—18. Matt. 26: 
60—75. Acts 4 : 9—13, 19. 

How may christian women expect to win un- 
believing husbands to the faith of the gospel ? 
Not by disputing with them on religious sub- 



232 MEMOIR. 

jects, but by constant, obliging, amiable beha- 
viour and conversation. By showing the effects 
of true religion in their own tempers, and a 
reverential regard to their husbands. 

Are outward ornaments forbidden in scrip- 
ture? 

Not entirely. But the vanity which consti- 
tutes a love for ornamental dress — the waste of 
time and expense to which this vanity leads — is 
entirely condemned. 

What are the inward ornaments which the 
apostle represents ? 

Meekness, wisdom, obedience to husbands. 

What is meant by the fear of amazement? 

A fear of the anger of an husband that leads 
to sin against God. 

What is meant by dwelling with the wife ac- 
cording to knowledge ? 

To behave as those who have a knowledge of 
God and true religion, who understand the de- 
sign of marriage. 

Giving honor? 

They ought to take satisfaction in their com- 
pany, honor them before servants and stran- 
gers. 

Heirs together ? 



SABBATH SCHOOL EXERCISES. 233 

Heirs of the promises of God — heirs of hea- 
ven, &c. 

PRACTICAL. 

The grace of God and his word will teach a 
person to perform the duties of every condition 
in life. 

What constitutes the most attractive beauty ? 

A meek and quiet spirit. 

Besides thus faithfully instructing her class, 
Mrs. McFarland sought opportunities to con- 
verse personally with those of them who were 
not pious. When her class consisted of young 
ladies, she would invite them in the summer sea- 
son to meet at her house, as often as once a 
week ; there urge them, in a very affectionate 
manner, to give their hearts to the Saviour ; and 
then would pray with them, adapting her peti- 
tions to the character and wants of each indi- 
vidual. She also observed a season of special 
prayer, at the beginning of each term — sum- 
mer and winter — of the Sabbath School, that 
she might have grace to be faithful, and that 
God's blessing might rest on the School. 

" She felt a great interest," say her daughters, 
" for the members of her class, thinking it a 
20* 



234 MEMOIR. 

most favorable opportunity for keeping up a 
profitable acquaintance, both with young and 
old. On Sabbath evening she would observe, 
That they sat together as in heavenly places, 
while they attended to the exercise. When her 
class consisted of persons much advanced in 
life, she felt a peculiar tenderness and concern 
for them ; thinking that they, as well as herself, 
were soon to know by experience the realities 
of eternal things." 

God in his infinite mercy grant, that all who 
enjoy the privilege and honor of teachers in the 
Sabbath School, may copy her example, and at- 
tain — as we doubt not she has — the reward of 
faithfulness in the divine kingdom ! 

Amen. 



CHAPTER X 

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS WRITTEN DURING THE LAST 
SEVEN YEARS OF HER LIFE. 

It was evident to all who were intimately ac- 
quainted with Mrs. McFarland, that during the 
few last years of her life, grace in her was fast 
ripening for glory ! She appeared habitually 
to live above the world, though conversant, as 
usual,' with its cares and duties. She was happy 
in her family, — happy in society ; — but her af- 
fection was evidently set on things above and not 
on things on the earth. Her feeble state of health 
was a constant memento of her approach to the 
eternal world, and her motto seemed to be like 
that of the Saviour, — / must work while it is 
day ; the night cometh when no man can work, 
The devout frame of her mind, and her intense 
desire to do good while she lived, will be hap- 
pily illustrated by the following brief extracts 
from her letters : 

To Mrs. E. M., of Boston. 

" Concord, Jan. 6, 1832. 

u My dear Mrs. M. : 

" Forty-six persons were received into on 



236 MEMOIR. 

church on the last Sabbath,— and I can inform 

you that S is among the number. The 

sight was truly solemn and affecting. O may 
they be so kept, by divine grace, as not only to 
be received to the church militant, but that 
triumphant, after this mortal life is over. May I 
so walk with, and influence my own dear child, 
as that her course may be that of the just, which 
shines more and more unto the perfect day ; may 
I keep in view that our accounts at the bar of 
the great Judge must be closely interwoven. O 
may we all be prepared to meet that day in 
peace, through the merits of our divine Lord 
and master, being clad in his righteousness, and 
not that of our own, in which we cannot wrap 
ourselves. May we make our lives, from this, a 
preparation day for that great event — that when 
he shall appear, we may be like him, and see him 
as he is ; lifting our heads with rejoicing that our 
redemption draws nigh. O, can we form even a 
faint idea of the everlasting confusion of one 
who shall be lost, with the gospel light and ad- 
vantages which we possess? Dear friend,|may 
this year, if we should be spared, be one more 
strongly marked with devotedness to our God 
and Saviour than any other. But ah ! what are 



CORRESPONDENCE. 237 

our wishes and resolutions of amendment ? Do 
we not find that if they are not made with a sense 
of our entire weakness, and with trust alone in his 
strength and grace, they are transitory as a sum- 
mer cloud ? O for that aid which alone can enable 
us to live as professing christians ought to live 
in this age of the world ; this day of gospel light 
and knowledge ; this day of revivals of relig- 
ion ; when God is so manifestly using the influ- 
ence of christian faithfulness as an important 
means in the conversion of sinners. O how 
ought we to live, as that a holy example might 
follow continually upon our exhortations to im- 
penitent sinners ! How ought our hearts to sor- 
row for them, to yearn over them, and daily to 
gush out before the throne of grace for them. 
O may the Holy Spirit be breathed upon us, so 
that we may thus feel and do. If left of this 
influence, we cannot feel, nor move Zion-ward ; 
we shall necessarily become stumbling blocks to 
those who would otherwise be travellers thither, 
" How does the past appear to you? In my 
own view, I am constrained to cry out, ' O my 
leanness, my leanness ;' ' God be merciful to me a 
sinner,' I am less than the least of all his mer- 
cies to me — unworthy of all. The chief of sin- 



238 MEMOIR. 

ners ! O, blessed be his name, that he came not 
to call the righteous ; but to seek and save 
sinners. Here is all my hope. 

' Here is firm footing ; all is sea beside.' 

" Yours with much affection, E. McF." 

GRATITUDE TO THE REDEEMER — SCOTT'S REFERENCES. 

To Mrs. S. H., of East Cambridge. 

"Concord, Jan. 20, 1834. 

" My dear Mrs. H. : 

" How ought our hearts to overflow with grat- 
itude to that Redeemer who has opened a way 
for such rebellious worms to inherit a state of 
immortal blessedness, instead of that duration 
of woe to which our sinfulness has exposed 
us. Can you not respond with me the sweet lan- 
guage and sentiment of the poet ? 

' E'er since by faith I saw the stream thy flowing wounds supply, 
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.' 

And O may our joyful tongues forever unite in 
nobler strains where sin and doubt shall have no 
place. O let us improve these swiftly revolving 
years in the service of our heavenly Father, and 
a life of faith in the beloved Saviour, to evidence 
our preparation for that rest ; which state will not 
only free us from sin, but make us like unto 



CORRESPONDENCE. 239 

himself. As the Psalmist says : ' I shall be sat- 
isfied when I awake with thy likeness.' 

1 O glorious hour, O blest abode ; 
I shall be near and like my God, 
And flesh and sin no more control 
The sacred pleasures of my soul.' 

" I want very much to hear from you, and 
other dear friends at East Cambridge. Do 
write, and tell me how you are in spiritual things ; 
whether you enjoy communion with God in 
prayer, and whether you delight in his word. 

" I have found a great treasure in Scott's Re- 
ference Bible, O how delightful it is to trace 
out the connection of promises and precepts, 
one explaining another ; apostles, prophets, kings 
and priests all expressing the same sentiment ; 
bringing their glory and honor to advance the 
cause of Christ. And to see, in reading the 25th 
of Matthew, in what way Christ has prepared the 
kingdom for his people from the foundation of 
the world : By his atonement — by the purpose 
of God — and by bringing the believer to bear 
by divine aid those evidences of grace which 
will prepare the soul for this blessedness. 

" I think that we may read the bible many 
years, and enjoy it but little, unless we study it 
with references, and in connection with others. 



240 MEMOIR. 

Aunt Simpkins said truly : ' It is a mine of 
gold ; the more we dig the more treasure we 
find/ Yours with much affection, 

E. McFarland." 



HER SON W- 



To Mrs. E.M.,of Boston. 

" Concord, August 22, 1834. 

" Dear Mrs. M. : 

" The time has arrived when I must part from 
my dear son, to go again on the mighty ocean ; 
but as Mrs. Graham says, ' God's ocean/ And as 
our prayers were answered in his safe return 
before, I trust the winds and waves will again 
have charge concerning him, to carry him safe- 
ly to the destined port, and return him to his na- 
tive shores. I think I can commit him to our 
heavenly Father, to whom he was early conse- 
crated, and whose sustaining hand has hitherto 
preserved him. O, do let us remember all the 
sailors, that they may praise the Lord for his 
wonderful works to the children of men. O 
may the Lord Jesus be the Captain and Pilot of 
every vessel, and immortal soul; safely conduct- 
ing them to their destined ports, and into the 
haven of immortal life and blessedness. 

" Do help me to bear all the sailors daily to a 



CORRESPONDENCE. 241 

throne of grace ; to an overflowing fountain ; to 
an every where present God. May his spirit be 
poured out upon the ocean. May there be a 
general turning unto the Lord of all this class 
of men. 

" Have you the little book called ' Daily Food 
for Christians' ? — being a promise, and another 
portion of scripture, besides a verse of poetry for 
each day in the year. 

" I felt sorrowful this morning, from the con- 
sideration that it was the last day W. would be 
with us. Taking it, I found the passage for to- 
day thus : Call upon me in the day of trouble ; 
I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. 
Psa. 50: 15. 

1 Dear refuge of my weary soul. 
On thee when sorrows rise ; 
On thee, when waves of trouble roll, 
My fainting hope relies.' 

"O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; 
not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to noth- 
ing." Jer. 10 : 24. 

" In this season of bodily indisposition and 
trial, I sometimes cast a look upward and on- 
ward, to a state of rest and blessedness, with 
some hope of attaining it, through the merits 
21 



242 MEMOIR. 

of our divine Saviour, whose good pleasure it is 
to give that inheritance to his little flock. 

" O my dear friend, have we the faith which 
constitutes that bond of union ? If we have, it 
is the effect of infinite love ; electing, sovereign 
love : O what a thought ! what a theme for eter- 
nal praise ! What a wonder that such a wretch 
should be chosen — what a wonder that a spark 
should be cherished in such a soul. Watts, in 
one of his lyric poems, speaking of redeeming 
love as the wonder of angels, says : 

' The joyful angels clapt their wings, 

And sounded grace through all their strings.' 

Should not the redeemed race be more intent 
than angels to offer suitable homage? O, let us 
begin the work of praise here. Mrs. Phillips 
used to say much on the subject of praising 
God. O, if ' every thing that hath breath would 
praise the Lord,' what a changed world would 
this be ! Well, let us rejoice that such a jubilee 
is promised, and is hastening on. 

' Come Lord, and added to thy many crowns, 
Receive this one, the crown of all the earth, 
For thou alone art worthy.' 

A glance over a small part of our world at the 
present time seems appalling to these hopes; but 
he who sits at the helm is excellent in counsel and 



CORRESPONDENCE. 243 

wonderful in working. The darkest season to 
the natural world is just before the dawning. 
My love to the dear children. 

E. McFarland." 

ZEAL FOR THE SALVATION OF MEN. 

To the same. 

" Concord, July 4, 1835. 

" My very dear Mrs. M. : 

" Yesterday was our communion season. The 
weather in the morning was rather fair, although 
there was a prospect of showers,— which seem- 
ed so distant that I thought I might go to meet- 
ing in the morning. However, I was caught, and 
returned^more unwell. To-day I must be sub- 
ject to a physician. My cough is constant, at- 
tended with extreme pain in the left side. We 
applied a blister last evening, which does well ; 
I mean it is a blister, — but it does not relieve the 
pain. Well, thus much I think I can say, through 
divine grace : It is 

* Sweet to lie passive in his hands ; 
And know no will but his.' 

" When I think of the relation in which chris- 
tians are standing to a guilty world — ' the salt of 
the earth' — ' the light of the world'- — and reflect 
on our conformity to that wicked world in its 



244 MEMOIR. 

spirit and customs, I seem to hear the voice of 
an avenger, calling after us christians, ' Where 
art thou ? The voice of thy brother's soul crieth 
unto me from the ground.' O for a wakening 
up among the churches ! Sometimes I think, 
O that there were some Whitefield, to go the 
length and breadth of New-England, and do 
this mighty work ! But we know that it is not 
by the might or power of man that this is to be 
done, ' but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.' O 
may this spirit come quickly, and breathe into us 
a reviving influence ! Did we know that any 
very important business devolved on us to be ac- 
complished on the morrow, should we not feel 
grateful to a friend who might find us slumber- 
ing in the morning, to arouse us? Are not per- 
ishing immortals of sufficient value to engage 
every energy of our hearts — that we may, with 
importunate, wrestling prayer and exhortation, 
combined with a devoted example of walking 
with God, seek continually their salvation? And 
if we neglect this work, so obviously our duty, 
ought we not, on the first symptom of drowsi- 
ness, to cry earnestly to that Power which alone 
can save us, lest stupor pervade every faculty, 
and we also sleep the sleep of death ? 

" Yours, with much affection, E. McF." 



CORRESPONDENCE. 245 

AFFECTIONATE CONCERN FOR PARTICULAR INDIVIDUALS. 

To the same. 

" Concord, Jan. 9, 1837. 

" My dear Mrs. M. : 

" Tell your dear grand-children I feel a pecu- 
liar interest in their conversion ; that they re- 
nounce the icorld, with all its vanities, and accept 
a Saviour as their whole portion ; one who has 
all power in his hands, and who offers them infi- 
nite and eternal blessings. They shall, on ac- 
cepting his proposals, become joint heirs with 
himself, entitled to all the honors and benefits of 
his kingdom. Whatever they resign for his sake 
that comes in competition with duty to him, he 
will restore them manifold more in this life, and 
in the life to come enduring substance, that will 
never fade away. Tell them, also, that this Sa- 
viour has a potent foe, ever seeking to prevent 
subjects from accepting God's terms, and by his 
delusions thousands are ruined. Remind them 
that the comforts of this life are uncertain, and 
the time will come when they will afford no en- 
joyment ; ' when the soul will be forced away to 
seek its last abode.' O my dear Rebecca, dear 
Joseph, obliging and amiable ; and dear, pleas- 
ant Elizabeth, if you have not given your hearts 
to Jesus Christ, you must be among his enemies 
21* 



246 MEMOIR. 

and rebels. Can you think of carrying weapons 
of rebellion against one who has suffered death, 
and shame, and agony beyond description, for 
you ? He bore a cruel cross, that you might 
wear a crown ; though rich, he became poor for 
your sakes, that you through his poverty might 
be made rich. You live in a situation of im- 
minent hazard — a city full of attractions to the 
broad road ; but, blessed be God, it has also pe- 
culiar privileges for the christian. May you flee 
for refuge to the hope before you in the gospel. 
" I want to hear from the Old South Church. 
You have a pastor. Is the church awake and 
engaged ? Are christians faithful to the impeni- 
tent ? O my dear, how guilty we are of the 
blood of souls ! — how we leave all reponsibilities 
on the pastor. O that every christian might this 
year come up to the help of the Lord against the 
mighty — staying up the hands of the pastor. 
Females may do something of this, by faithful 
closet duties — fervent prayer for him, &,c. &c. 
" My paper reminds me of a close. E. McF." 

The following extracts of letters to her daugh- 
ter S., who spent about a year as a teacher in 
Ohio, will illustrate the maternal affection and 



CORRESPONDENCE. 247 

interest which Mrs. McFarland felt for her own 
family. 

"Concord, July 10, 1837. 

" My dear S. : 

" We were made very happy this morning by 
the reception of your letter. O let us bless and 
praise the Lord for this instance of his great 
goodness towards us, — carrying you in safety 
through this long journey, and giving a kind re- 
ception among strangers. My heart went after 
you, (as you may well suppose) the day you left 
us, and followed in your path as closely as I 
could. The night on which I supposed you 
took the steam-boat for New-York, I thought,— 
O could this dear head, now reclining in a 
strange place, be watched as was Jacob's, when 
going to Padanaram ; could our God reveal 
himself to her, as her covenant God, and she 
anew make an entire dedication of herself to 
his service ! And I hope you have been ena- 
bled so to do. The first paragraph of your letter 
leads me to hope this is the case. When I feel 
any anxiety about your usefulness, I sometimes 
think, — * Why could not I put a pen in our little 
E.'s* hand and make her write V The Lord can 

* A grand-daughter, about two years old. 



248 MEMOIR. 

use my beloved child, to honor his cause and 
promote the Redeemer's kingdom, with infinitely 
more ease. O trust him, my dear, so to do. Ac- 
cording to our confidence in him we receive 
mercies. Remember, the fountain is overflow- 
ing, ' ask what ye will.' 

" O how happy you must have been, encircled 
with such friends, and passing through so much 
delightful scenery ! We shall be all impatience 
for full descriptions of Wheeling, Putnam, Miss 
E., the superintendent of the Sabbath school, 
every name and face in your class, and particu- 
larly Putnam seminary, and as many of the pu- 
pils as possible. 

" You usually chide me for neglecting to send 
the affairs of home; so I shall begin in season. 
Mrs. B. has a son, two weeks old, to be called 
Samuel Fletcher. The name had been promis- 
ed, and I hope he will be as the child of prom- 
ise — heir to the promises of God. We had a 
capital celebration of American Independence, 
I assure you. Two companies, however : " The 
Young Men's Celebration," (thoroughly tempe- 
rate) and the " Temperance Celebration." The 
first named had an oration from Mr. Perley, at 



CORRESPONDENCE. 249 

the south meeting-house ; excellent music and 
singing ; some original pieces, and a collation 
in the grove near Mr. George Kent's. The other 
had an oration by Rev. Mr. Tenbroeck : history 
of the nation, with the oppressions leading to 
its emancipation from the British yoke ; import- 
ance of religious character, temperance, &c. 
I ought to have observed that this exercise was 
preceded by prayer, singing, and reading the 
Declaration of Independence. Sabbath schools 
were present, and listened, with the rest of an 
attentive audience, to an address from our dear 
Mr. Stone, which was excellent. The Sabbath 
scholars had refreshments served them on the 
green near Esq. Kimball's. The rest of the au- 
dience repaired to the hall over the Upper Bank, 
where a collation was prepared in handsome 
style. Invitations came in abundance. We 
were separated by no parish or district lines ; 
all went where they chose. Both committees 
seemed to claim a very large share of the com- 
pany, and I think Concord has never seen a 
Fourth when there was so much universal good 
feeling. Fire-works in the evening finished the 
day. Old grand-mother, you know, finds some 
sorrow in almost every thing. She regretted to 



250 MEMOIR. 

have so much money exploded while the appeals 
of the American Board are so urgent. 

Your affectionate Mother." 

To the same. 

" Concord, August, 1837. 

" I suppose my feelings are similar to those of 
other parents; not so anxious respecting the 
treatment you receive, as the manner in which a 
dear child conducts when far away : Whether 
she conducts towards others suitably ; whether 
she is useful, and filling the situation assigned 
her by Providence. These are the questions of 
my heart ; ' for these my prayers ascend.' I 
hope, my child, that you will do every thing in 
your power to merit the confidence of your as- 
sociate teacher, and that of the respectable circle 
into which you are admitted. ' May discretion 
lead you' and ' understanding keep you,' in every 
moment. Be guarded in what manner you even 
speak of your beloved native village. A few 
years since an interesting family came here from 
the banks of river. They were well receiv- 
ed into the best society. One of the daughters, 
however, was so incessantly speaking of the 
place she had left, and making comparisons to 
the disadvantage of Concord, that it created a 



CORRESPONDENCE. 251 

general disgust; and the question, if not the 
wish, existed in our minds, Why she had not re- 
mained in a situation so much more congenial. 
' A word to the wise/ 

" Dear child, remember from whom all your 
blessings come, and that you are dependent for 
their continuance, every moment. 

Your affectionate Mother." 

To the same. 

"Concord, September 19, 1837. 

" My dear 8. : 

" My life of late has been quite monotonous : 
not health sufficient to seek after variety ; rather 
standing on the defensive, to meet unavoidable 
incidents, and decently discharge obligations to 
those members of society whom Providence may 
bring in contact with me; than that degree of 
health and flow of spirits which look forth to 
hail new scenes and faces, and find enjoyment in 
the sturdy business of a large family. 

" I suppose the girls have told you of my ride 
to Claremont, to attend the meetings of the Gen- 
eral Association. I passed a Sabbath at New- 
port. I think the older 1 grow the more highly 
I enjoy natural scenery. The western part of 
our state, you know, is very different from the 



252 MEMOIR. 

east. It is highly picturesque. I was full of 
admiration and wonder whenever I turned my 
eyes abroad. I think painters must abound 
among those beautiful slopes of land, in high 
cultivation, and mountains, rivers, &c, that 
show so strikingly the divine hand that has 
spread them out. The elegance of scenery 
seems, also, to be stamped on the minds of the 
inhabitants. Claremont is a most beautiful vil- 
lage ; and in whose delightful family do you 
think I was cast? Why, no other than Mr. 
D — n's. They removed from Keene to Clare- 
mont three years since. I am astonished at the 
goodness of God to me. When I go out I feel 
unworthy of the crumbs that fall from the tables 
of his children ; but he gives me the choicest 
blessings. 

" The meeting was of an unusually solemn 
character. There were twelve deaths reported 
among the ministers, and a death occurred there 
at the time which seemed to draw the pall of 
death closely around us. Mrs. Howe, wife of 
the Episcopal minister, was upset in a carriage 
at Westmoreland, on her return home, and kill- 
ed. She w T as buried on Thursday, at 10 o'clock, 
while the Missionary Society was in meeting. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 253 

The appeals from agents, setting before us the 
pressing wants of the Society, seemed to be 
strongly enforced by the solemn funeral knell. 
' What thou doest must be done quickly.' 

" I hope my dear S. feels her dependence for 
the continuance of those pleasant circumstances 
which now surround her. Can you in any way 
properly express the obligation I feel toward Mr. 
S — s and family for their kindness toward you ? 

" Dear S., I must close, commending you to 
God. O, trust in the Father of the fatherless, 
of whose mercy we have received so much. 
Your affectionate Mother." 

To the same. 

" Concord, Nov. 1, 1837. 
" My dear S. : 

" The rolling seasons pass rapidly away. Sum- 
mer has fled. The last autumnal month is ush- 
ered in. These revolutions, to one who has 
counted them for almost three-score years, are 
filled with important and solemnly interesting 
associations ; friends who were numbered with 
the dead long since, sometimes seem presented 
anew, and our influence with them, or neglected 
duties withheld, touch a cord which vibrates 
mournfully and long. We then search for the testi- 
22 



254 MEMOIR. 

monials of conscience on the passing data, and 
also find Tekel there enstamped ; then, with 
humility and gratitude, we endeavor to lift a con- 
fidential glance toward that Friend whose blood 
cancels every stain — and the sweet theme of 
redeeming love takes the place of many painful 
recollections; and one, reflecting on the subject 
would say, Surely the coming season will be 
distinguished by a persevering application 
to the duties of every hour. But alas! alas! 
such is experience, that I dare say only, ' Hold 
thou me up and I shall be safe,' ' Gird me and 
lead me whither I ought to go.' 

" Your dear letter of the 20th came in five 
days. I know not how you do it, but your letter 
seems to tell, admirably, your thoughts and 
looks, and the looks of all around you, persons 
and places. My strongest feelings are gratitude 
to Mr. and Mrs. S., Miss E. and Mr. and Mrs. 
B. Let us remember that every fellow-creature 
is just that to us which God makes them, and 
feel our dependence on him for the continuance 
of any possessed blessing. 

" O, my beloved S., are you forming the char- 
acter that is the most useful ; the most decidedly 
pious, self-denying and happy that can be on 



CORRESPONDENCE. 255 

earth ? Only think what a day of the church 
you live in. The friends and enemies of the 
Redeemer will not long, I think, hold neutral 
ground. Are you prepared to maintain your pro- 
fession, should bonds and imprisonment await 
you 1 O think, search and try yourself, and 
pray God to enable you to maintain your profes- 
sion. If you are indeed a believer in Jesus 
Christ ; if you have been truly united to him by 
faith, ' life nor death, angels nor principalities/ 
shall ever sever the blessed union. O how will 
that ' weight of glory ; which is to be the portion 
of the christian compare with all the honors of 
this life. Let us rouse up every energy, to secure 
such a prize. May the Father of the fatherless 
sustain and guide you through this mortal pil- 
grimage ; and, through the riches of boundless 
grace, bring you safe to that Canaan ' where no 
roses grow on thorns, nor honey wears a sting/ 
But do not think that I am not hoping to see 
you again below. O yes, when the year has 
passed away, filled with duty and usefulness, I 
fondly anticipate your return. 

Your affectionate Mother." 

During the winter of 1837—8 Mrs. McFar- 



256 MEMOIR. 

land's health was very feeble. In the spring she 
was so far restored as to be able to visit her dear 
native city — and also Conway, in N. H., the res- 
idence of her son-in-law, Mr. McM. 

From the latter place she wrote to her friend 
Mrs. E. M., of Boston, under date of 

" August 1, 1838. 

" My dear Mrs. M, : 

" Here T have been almost five weeks. My 
health is much improved by the mountain air of 
this place, and the kindness of the people. 

" Conway is on the great road from the eastern 
country to the White Mountains. We are 25 
miles from the Notch. Among the travellers I 
think of you and your family, and wish we could 
see you here. The scenery is delightful Moun- 
tains beyond and above mountains, on every 
side. The want of a good minister for the lit- 
tle congregational church, is very great. There 
are some able persons, who have done much 
toward the support of one ; but the hard times 
have, at length, induced a separation. We have 
meetings at the meeting-house on the Sabbath, 
good prayers by an excellent deacon, and the 
best of sermons well read. But O, a faithful 
minister ! you know not how to appreciate their 



CORRESPONDENCE. w ^5 / 

worth while you sit under their constant servi- 
ces. I think if I had the coffer of some rich 
person, Conway should have a good minister, 
and a bell to call together the dear little united 
church and congregation. 

" I think much of my late visit to you. I was 
really benefited as to health, although my jour- 
ney there was so severe. I shall be unable to 
write a long letter. I add my great desire 
to hear from you, and assure you of the affec- 
tionate regard of your friend, 

Elizabeth McFarland." 

The last letter which she wrote was to her 
son-in-law, Rev. Mr. Buxton, of Boscawen. 

"Concord, Sept. 5, ]838. 

"Rev. and dear Sir : 

" Your favor, which I received at Conway, was 
truly acceptable, for which please to accept my 
sincere thanks. I regret my necessary absence 
when you preached at Concord. I think I have 
learned something more of the value of a gospel 
minister by my residence where there is none. 
We had good meetings on the Sabbath ; prayer 
and conference meetings on other days ; but the 
effect is far different from the labors of a living 
preacher. While there I thought I would en- 
22* 



258 MEMOIR. 

deavor to interest all my christian friends to pray 
for Conway. The brethren and sisters appear 
well as to doctrine and engagedness, but they 
have great obstacles in the way of obtaining a 
pastor. I hope, dear Sir, that you find pleasing 
encouragement in your labors. If you do not 
find immediate effects, your reward is sure from 
the great Head of the church. I hope you will 
be careful of health, and use the best means for 
its entire restoration. My own health is feeble 
yet, — hardly as good as when at Conway. The 
air here has more humidity; but my mercies (or 
rather the Lord's toward me) are new every 
morning and fresh every moment. I think I 
have been criminally backward to look at the 
goodness of God. Last Sabbath was the season 
for administering the ordinance of the Supper. 
I could say that it was good to be there. Sov- 
ereign grace and electing mercy was my theme 
of meditation. ' Lord, why was I made to hear 
thy voice V The same love which spread the 
feast induces every believer to hear the voice 
and come. 

" The household are in usual health. We long 
to see you here. 

" With sentiments of affectionate esteem, 

Your Mother." 



CHAPTER XI. 

INTERESTING PARTICULARS ILLUSTRATIVE OF HER RE- 
LIGIOUS CHARACTER. 

Before introducing the reader to the scene of 
joy and triumph which it was the privilege of 
many to witness, in her last sickness and in pros- 
pect of death, I wish to present a few particulars 
in the life of Mrs. McFarland, that will add new 
lustre to the " beauty of holiness" which was the 
brightest ornament of her character. 

Her Diary. It has already been mention- 
ed, that Mrs. McFarland continued to record 
the exercises of her mind — with a few occasional 
intervals — till about the year 1827. After that, 
she wrote but little in her diary concerning her- 
self; but usually recorded the texts and heads 
of sermons which she had heard on the Sab- 
bath, and added such reflections as the subject 
treated of, suggested to her. The question is 
asked, Why she ceased to record the exercises of 
her mind? The true answer I suppose to be, 
that in consequence of some remarks which she 



260 MEMOIR. 

had heard in opposition to the practice, she be- 
gan to have conscientious scruples respecting 
it. Hence, not long after, she brought a ques- 
tion into the Family Conference, " Is it useful 
to christians to keep a journal of their religious 
experience?" The question was fully discussed, 
some giving their opinion in the affirmative, and 
some in the negative. It was not then known to 
the pastor that Mrs. McF. did keep a diary. In 
his remarks, he stated summarily the advantages 
which might be derived from the practice, and 
also the disadvantages ; and concluded with the 
caution, to beware of spiritual pride and self- 
complacency — not to write any thing, with the 
secret intention of having it seen — to guard 
against the use of language that would naturally 
convey to the reader a better opinion of your 
religious state than your own convictions would 
warrant. In short, — He who keeps a record 
of his religious exercises must do it only for the 
benefit of his own soul — and not have an eye, at 
the same time, on the estimate which this record 
will lead others to form of him : If he does, 
there will be a strong tendency and temptation 
to conceal on the one hand, and exaggerate on the 
other. 



HER DIARY. 261 

On the conscientious mind of Mrs. McFar- 
land these remarks had an unfavorable influence. 
Although her diary was commenced, and had, 
doubtless, been continued, simply with reference 
to her own benefit, yet the bare suspicion which 
she now felt, that it might be seen, deterred her 
from making any farther record. Indeed, she 
seriously meditated the destruction of what she 
had written, and was dissuaded from it only by 
the entreaties of her daughters. They suggested 
that as her mother's diary had proved a great 
comfort and benefit to her, so her own might be 
to them. Though we applaud the motive which 
induced her to relinquish her diary, yet we can- 
not but regret our loss of the benefit of that ma- 
ture experience, which, but for the circumstance 
above named, she would probably have recorded. 

HER VIEWS OF A PARTICULAR PROVIDENCE.* 

" She was once struck with a remark which 
she read from one of her ' old godly books,' as 
she called them, — ' Always notice Providence, 
and you will never want a Providence to notice/ 
This sentiment she said was exactly in accord- 
ance with her own experience. 

* For most of what follows in this chapter, I am happy to repeat 
my acknowledgments to Mrs. McFarland's two eldest daughters. 



262 MEMOIR. 

" It was a precious thought to her, that * not a 
sparrow falleth to the ground without your 
Father ;' — and a practical belief of its truth 
tended to keep her mind in a peaceful, quiet 
state. It was her earnest desire that she might 
' seek first the kingdom of God, and his right- 
eousness/ and she believed that all things need- 
ful would then be added. If any circumstance 
took place, calculated to trouble and embarrass 
her, she would calm her feelings by saying ' that 
a kind Providence would order all aright.' All 
the members of the family saw that this was a 
source of comfort to her, when anxious about 
any thing. At one time, the interposition of 
Providence was so obvious as to attract the 
notice of an ignorant, yet kind-hearted domes- 
tic, who raised her hands, exclaiming, ' There, 
ma'am, I believe it is the best way always to 
trust in Providence ; for whenever you say you 
are going to do so, every thing comes round 
exactly right !' Several times during her life 
she was led to adore that Providence which 
saved her children when in danger. Not that 
these interpositions were more remarkable than 
those which occur in the life of every person, but 
she was quick to notice them. For instance : 



VIEWS OF PROVIDENCE. 263 

one of the children, while at play one day, fell 
into the fire. He was soon rescued, and without 
much injury : when it appeared that the little 
hand, which fell upon the hottest coals, was 
shielded by something that he was holding in it. 
This circumstance was not too trifling to excite 
her notice, and call forth her gratitude. 

" She was once prevented, by unfavorable 
weather, from setting out, as soon as she intend- 
ed, on a visit to her friends. She seemed easy 
and satisfied about it, though it was no easy mat- 
ter to pacify S., who was to accompany her, and 
who expressed much concern at being thus 
detained. When, however, they were permitted 
to go, they learned that one family which they 
depended on visiting, had been absent from 
home, and returned just in time to receive them. 

" Her social enjoyments were heightened by 
the same consideration. It was this which gave 
such a sweetness to her manner, when receiving 
the visits of friends, and especially of ministers 
of the gospel, with which she was occasionally 
favored. They were sent by an overruling 
Providence, and the visit was designed that she 
might either do them good, or receive good from 
them. 



264 MEMOIR. 

" When she received any present from a friend, 
she looked upon it as coming from the divine 
hand that was always supplying her wants ; and 
though she felt and expressed a suitable degree 
of thankfulness to the giver, she would say, with 
much simplicity, that ' it was God who put it into 
the heart of her friend thus to remember her.' 
In this way she experienced much sweet, and I 
may say elevated enjoyment, during her season 
of sickness; often receiving some delicacy which 
was peculiarly grateful ; sometimes from inti- 
mate friends, and sometimes from those with 
whom she had little or no acquaintance. And 
here 1 would say, that the friends who in her 
last illness were daily, and T might almost say ? 
hourly, sending her fruit and other things calcu- 
lated to refresh and strengthen her, seemed to 
all of us to be thus directed how to suit their 
gifts to the peculiar and varying wants of the 
dear invalid. She often said, when any such 
thing was presented, ' O I this is just what I 
have been wanting ;' and would enjoy the mere 
sight of it as coming from her heavenly Father. 
She derived spiritual enjoyment from such 
instances of his love, and renewed her foretaste 



RELIGIOUS MEETINGS. 265 

of the happiness of heaven, — using the words 
of one of her favorite hymns, 

* If such the sweetness,' &c. 

" And as she felt that in the exercise of her 
gratitude, she must look beyond these earthly 
friends ; so she regarded it as a precious privi- 
lege to ask for them the richest of blessings. 
" But there was no Providence that delighted 
her more, than to find that the instructions from 
the pulpit, on the Sabbath, were upon a subject 
to which she had directed her attention the week 
previous. When she spent more time than usual 
in the study of the bible, and in meditation and 
prayer, she often found this to be the case, and 
that such sermons came to her with peculiar 
force and interest — her mind and heart being in 
some measure prepared to receive theni." 

RELIGIOUS MEETINGS, 

Mrs. McFarland's attendance upon religious 
meetings, during the week, deserves to be men- 
tioned, as an example of christian consis- 
tency and perseverance. She acted on the 
principle, that every meeting for religious im- 
provement, which was appointed by the pastor 
or by the brethren of the church, with his 
23 



266 MEMOIR. 

knowledge and approbation, ought to be attend- 
ed. She made her arrangements for attending 
such meetings, as something that could not be 
neglected ; and would lay out no more work for 
the day than could be done consistently with a 
suitable attendance upon such a duty. If unex- 
pected company or business was likely to hinder 
her from being in readiness, she would break 
away, as she said she must, and repair to the 
place of meeting. She said that she derived 
sufficient strength and comfort to make the ad- 
ditional labor easy. She would sometimes be 
amused to see one of the children or a young 
domestic performing her allotted work with great 
alaerity in prospect of a visit, or any particular 
indulgence ; and would smilingly say, " I may 
learn a lasson from this little girl, how to find 
time to attend a meeting." 

Her efforts to attend the female meetings were 
more silently made, but in this she was very 
persevering. She said that such meetings were 
sustained by those who were constantly occu- 
pied with domestic cares ; and she would not 
allow herself, except in extreme cases, to stay 
away on account of them ; for if one might stay 
away, so might another, and the meeting could 



WEEKLY FAMILY CONFERENCE. 267 

not be sustained. She once went to a friend, 
with whom she was intimately acquainted, 
and said to her, with tenderness, " I expected 
your attendance and assistance in this meeting : 
you told me that you approved of the object, 
and would attend ; you do not come, and I think 
I have a right to ask you, plainly, why you do 
not?" Yet she was ever ready to make allow- 
ance for such as manifested a desire to attend, 
but were prevented. 

The meetings in which she felt a very lively 
interest, and which she always attended, if pos- 
sible, were the monthly concert of prayer for 
the conversion of the world ; a weekly prayer 
meeting with five or six christians sisters in the 
neighborhood, for a blessing on themselves and 
their families; the Saturday evening prayer- 
meeting, and a weekly family conference, which 
for several years was held by the pastor, from 
house to house, agreeably to invitation. The 
object of this conference was to cultivate social 
christian intercourse ; to learn each other's views 
of religious doctrines and duties ; to solve ques- 
tions of conscience, and converse on religious 
experience. Those who attended this meeting 
were requested to hand in written questions, for 



268 MEMOIR. 

the subject of conversation ; on which questions 
both the males and females present were desired 
by the pastor to express their opinion ; after 
which he gave his own. Mrs. McFarland usual- 
ly prepared for this conference ; questions were 
often found on the table in her hand-writing ; 
and her remarks were always listened to, as ju- 
dicious, sensible and scriptural. 

Among many questions handed in by her, I 
select the following as specimens : 

" How shall we know that we are seeking first 
the kingdom of God?" 

" What kind of communications among chris- 
tians are those which we may suppose are ac- 
ceptable to God ?" Malachi, 3 : 16, 17. 

" How can christians, with all their imper- 
fections, be compared to jeivels in God's es- 
teem ?" Mai. 3: 17. 

" When a christian backslides from God, does 
he return by his own power in repentance, or 
by the sovereign influence of the Holy Spirit ?" 

" How shall a professing christian obtain an 
habitual preparation for death ?" 

" Does the bible decide the question whether 
the sins of God's people will be published and 
made known to the assembled universe, at the 



SATURDAY EVENING PRAYER MEETING. 269 

day of judgment ? or, do those passages in • 
which they are represented as being * blotted 
out/ ' remembered no more/ mean any more 
than that they will not be alleged against them 
to their condemnation VI 

These questions show the current of her 
thoughts on religious subjects. 

The " Family Conference" was the only meet- 
ing, composed of males and females, in which 
Mrs. McFarland ever spoke, unless in answer to 
some inquiry : — with two exceptions. 

The first was at the Saturday evening prayer- 
meeting, in the winter of 1831 — 2, during the 
great revival which followed the meeting of the 
General Association in Concord. The weather 
was so extremely cold that not more than eight 
or nine brethren of the church were present, and 
only two or three females, of which Mrs. McFar- 
land was one. The brethren were discussing 
the question, " Whether it would be practicable 
to meet on the next Sabbath morning — in the 
same place, for prayer, as they had been accus- 
tomed to do, before sun-rise?" Most of them 
were of opinion, that on account of the severity 
of the weather, they could not meet. When 
they were about coming to that conclusion, 
23 * 



270 MEMOIR. 

Mrs. McFarland, sitting on the opposite side of 
the room, in a feeble voice said, " Brethren, we 
are not accustomed to be heard from this side of 
the house ; and perhaps it would be more be- 
coming in us to be silent on this occasion ; but 
we should remember, that marts extremity may 
be God's opportunity. If you will meet, I will 
come and build the fire !" The brethren were 
silent, — but every mind was decided. Not a 
man of them was absent from the Sabbath morn- 
ing prayer meeting ! 

The second time that she spoke, was at 
a meeting held at the Baptist Church in 1834, at 
which the duty of making confession was urged 
upon christians — both males and females. A 
considerable number had done it — some rising 
in their seats, and others going forward in the 
presence of the assembly, for the purpose. The 
scene was peculiarly solemn and affecting. 
Many were dissolved in tears. At length, Mrs. 
McFarland arose and went forward, and made 
a most humble confession of her sins before 
God. She spoke of " her lukewarmness in his 
service — her ingratitude — her want of faith, love, 
and compassion for the souls of the unconverted, 
and her fear that she was a stumbling-block, in 



FAMILY WORSHIP. 271 

the way of the salvation of others." Tears were 
mingled with her words ; none doubted the sin- 
cerity with which she spoke, — though all who 
knew her thought she had the least reason of 
all to make such confessions. Whatever opin- 
ion may be formed of the propriety of such pub- 
lic confession, it ought to be understood that in 
this case, Mrs. McFarland did not suppose her- 
self to be violating the apostolic injunction, that 
women keep silence in the Churches. I. Cor. 14 : 
34 ; and she acted in accordance with what she 
believed to be the meaning of that scripture, 
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one 
for another, that ye may be healed. Ja*nes, 5 : 
16. She believed, too, that if christians, on 
proper occasions, would make a penitent con- 
fession of .their sins before the world, and re- 
turn to God by sincere repentance, it. would 
" prepare the way of the Lord," and their efforts 
for the conversion of others would be crowned 
with success. 

FAMILY WORSHIP. 

It was Mrs. McFarland's practice, during the 
life of her husband, when he was absent from 
home, to call the family together, morning and 
evening, for worship. The scriptures having 



272 MEMOIR. 

been read in the usual order, she would read a 
prayer, from some printed form. But after her 
husband's death, she felt, that as the head of her 
house, the duty of maintaining family worship 
devolved on her ; and accordingly she prayed 
morning and evening with her family, kneeling, 
and offering her prayer out of the fulness of her 
heart. She continued to do this as long as her 
strength would enable her. When she was so 
weak as to be unable to kneel, she would sit up 
in her arm chair, and lift her feeble hands to 
God in supplication for her family. And when, 
at last, she was confined to her bed through 
weakness, she would still call her household 
together, and ask God's blessing on them. Dur- 
ing her last sickness, and within a few weeks of 
her death, she was advised to omit family prayers. 
She consented, but after one week she thought 
it her duty to resume the exercise ; and so she 
continued it, morning and evening, till very near 
the close of life. 

SEASONS OF SICKNESS BEFORE THE LAST. 

From her diary and correspondence, the 
reader is already apprized that Mrs. McFarland 
had several seasons of dangerous sickness, pre- 
vious to the last. Her experience in these sea- 



SEASONS OF SICKNESS. 273 

sons was a contrast with that which closed her 
mortal existence. Though she was not wholly 
destitute of support and consolation, derived 
from the promises of the gospel ; and was always 
resigned to the will of God ; — yet usually, at 
these seasons, she had such vivid apprehensions 
of God's holiness and justice ; such painful con- 
victions of sin and of her own unworthiness, 
that the " fear of death" sometimes prevailed 
over her hopes of salvation, so as often ' to bring 
her into bondage/ But in regard to all her sea- 
sons of sickness it may truly be said, they were 
seasons of improvement, of prayer, and of self- 
examination. When, through the mercy of God, 
her health was renewed, she retained a lively 
sense of the views she had had of God's purity 
and her own sinfulness, and of the infinite im- 
portance of eternal things. 

In 1823 she experienced what she afterwards 
called her " dreadful sickness." It was a violent 
nervous affection and fever, which continued 
about two months, and during which time she 
was deprived of her reason. She thus speaks of 
it in her diary : 

Jan. 29, 1824. " In the last year God has 
corrected me with repeated stripes. O, I pray 



374 MEMOIR. 

that they may not be lost upon me. I pray that 
I may not be hardened by these reproofs, and 
ripened for destruction. In August and Sep- 
tember I was visited with sickness, and the pri- 
vation of reason, O, while I have the exercise 
of this faculty, may I always have a disposition 
to praise God, and live to his glory, whatever 
may be my outward condition. When this is 
prostrated, how is every mercy turned to gall and 
wormwood !" * * * 

To record the particular expressions which 
fell from her lips during this distressing visita- 
tion, might gratify the curiosity of some, but 
could answer no useful purpose. Suffice it to 
say, that amid many things that seemed foreign 
from her character, the main current of her 
thoughts and language flowed in the channel of 
religion. " She thought, sometimes, that she 
was herself on the verge of hell ; that the dread- 
ful sentence, 'depart,' had already sounded forth ; 
and, as she expressed herself, that she must now 
' go away from God, and Christ, and the happy 
angels/ Then, in a sudden transition of feeling, 
she would think that she was forgiven — the holy 
angels were wiping away her tears — and that 
her mother stood ready to welcome her to hea- 



ven 



t» 



SEASONS OF SICKNESS. 275 

At one time, during this " dreadful sickness," 
she was thought to be dying. Her husband and 
children all stood by her bed-side, to witness the 
closing scene. " She then said very little, and 
that was in view of passing over Jordan ; ask- 
ing if the ark of the covenant was ready to carry 
her over V 3 

God was pleased, however, to spare her — and 
to add " fifteen years 33 of distinguished useful- 
ness to her life ! After her recovery, allusion 
was seldom made to this season of sickness, un- 
less she made inquiries about it. With her bodi- 
ly health, her reason was perfectly restored, and 
so continued until she breathed her last. 

In the winter of 1837 — 8, she was again 
brought very low, and, as her friends feared, 
would not recover. She then appeared remark- 
ably penitent, humble and submissive ; but had 
a prevailing desire to live, in order, as she 
expressed it, " to finish her work." But c the 
fatal consumption 3 which she had feared for so 
many years, seemed then to fasten itself upon 
her vitals more deeply than ever. This was ap- 
parent to herself as well as to her friends, and 
she commenced arranging her affairs with evi- 
dent reference to her departure. 



276 MEMOIR. 

During that illness she often expressed a wish 
that she might be spared to see all her children 
again, who were then widely scattered. This 
was granted her ; — and during the few months 
which remained in which she was " to finish her 
work," she saw some of the purposes of God 
towards her family unfolded. She witnessed 
the union of two of her daughters in marriage ; 
was permitted to embrace all her children again, 
and to receive one of them as new-born into the 
kingdom of God. She gathered up her little 
remaining strength — visited Boston, her " dear 
native place" — took a final leave of her friends 
there — and subsequently visited Conway : and 
wherever she went, and with whatever society 
she mingled, she left the impression that she was 
fast ripening for the exalted society of ' spirits 
made perfect in heaven.' 

HER CLOSET THE GARRET. 

The reader will recollect that during her hus- 
band's life, the " north chamber" was her favor- 
ite place of resort for private communion with 
God. But " when she came to occupy only half 
of the house, this room was exchanged for the 
garret. This was an unfinished place, not hav- 
ing any thing to render it inviting to the eye of 



HER CLOSET. 277 

taste. It was, however, out of the way of noise, 
and favorable to meditation. This place she felt 
at liberty to furnish more to her own conveni- 
ence than the chamber. The table which stood 
by the side of her chair was large enough to hold 
her reference Bible, such volumes of Scott as 
she might wish to refer to, Watts' Psalms and 
Hymns, Village Hymns, together with her sing- 
ing book and conveniences for writing. At the 
left hand of her chair, was the great beam which 
ran across the middle of the garret, against 
which hung several small port-folios. These 
contained the papers relating to the different 
societies in which she was engaged ; and were 
labeled, ' Female Charitable Society/ ' Mater- 
nal Association/ &,c. On this beam were ar- 
ranged Reports of different societies, Tracts, 
printed sermons, &,c, a Dictionary, and a set of 
maps, to which she wished occasionally to refer. 
Sometimes when she was filling her stove, and 
preparing to go up, we would ask her if she 
could keep herself comfortable? ' Yes/ she 
would say ] ' I am warm enough, and as happy 
as happy can be.' " 

In this " upper room," thus consecrated to 
God, she spent many precious hours during the 
24 



278 MEMOIR. 

last ten years of her life. Here, chiefly, she 
prepared her sabbath school lessons, and per- 
formed the various duties of private devotion, 
that ' made her face to shine' with the mild radi- 
ance of holiness. Here, alone, she sung God's 
praises ! her feeble, but sweet voice, being often 
heard by her children below. 

" In private prayer she generally spoke in an 
audible voice, thinking it the most favorable to 
devotional feeling. She generally made those 
acknowledgments of the majesty of Jehovah, of 
which we have the example in public prayer. 
She was very minute in confession of particular 
sins, in acknowledgment of mercies, and requests 
for blessings both spiritual and temporal — " in 
every thing, by prayer and supplication, with 
thanksgiving, making her requests to God." She 
every day prayed for her children, each one by 
name, with confession of their sinful nature, and 
the sins to which each one showed the strongest 
propensity. She gave them up entirely to God's 
disposal, though she was earnest in asking for 
them the blessings of education, respectable and 
faithful friends, and such things as would pro- 
mote their comfort and respectability. 

" At evening, she prayed for each individual 



HER CLOSET. 279 

with whom she had associated during the day ; 
dwelling upon their character or circumstances, 
and breathing earnest desires for their salvation, 
or growth in holiness. She seemed to expect 
the same remembrance by her christian friends. 
Once there was a remark made about being 
interrupted by frequent calls. She said, ■ You 
forget that those who call may go away and pray 
for us.' 

" After her severe sickness in the winter of 
1837 — 8, she did not spend much time in the 
garret. The next spring she remarked, ' When I 
go into the garret it is not as it used to be ; for 
I am so tired and out of breath, that I can do 
nothing. But my Father is so good to me, that 
he will hear me when I am reclining in my easy 
chair, or lying on the bed ; and I find it just as 
good for me, though I used to think it so much 
better to go away alone. 5 " 



CHAPTER XII. 

" FULL ASSURANCE OF HOPE" — OR TRIUMPH IN PROS- 
PECT OF DEATH. 

In my visits to Mrs. McFarland after she was 
confined to her room, I found her in so peaceful 
and happy a frame of mind — and her conversa- 
tion so instructive and heavenly, that I resolved 
to pen down the remarks which she made during 
our interviews, as the precious testimony of a 
dying saint to the value of the gospel. This I 
accordingly did, immediately after returning 
home. I have used her own words, as exactly 
as I could recollect them, and aimed to describe 
the closing scene of her life, just as it was. 
The daughters and one or two of her christian 
friends took notes of her remarks when I was 
not there ; a portion of which will also be intro- 
duced into this chapter. 

Sept. 24, 1838. The last time that Mrs. 
McFarland attended public worship was the sac- 
ramental season, the first Sabbath in September. 



THE CLOSE OF LIFE. 281 

She was then feeble, and attended only in the 
morning. The three succeeding Sabbaths she 
had been confined at home. Visiting her early 
on Monday morning, the 24th, I asked, " How 
did you enjoy the Sabbath, deprived as you were 
of the privilege of public worship ?" She replied, 
" Happy ; my mind was calm and resigned to 
the will of God. I felt an evidence of accept- 
ance through the merits of the Saviour." After 
a brief pause, she added, " The Sabbath is a 
precious day ; it has usually been so to me. But 
I have found that my enjoyment has depended 
much on my preparation for its duties. My 
mother used to say, when I was a child, that we 
should rise earlier on the Sabbath than on other 
days, because its duties were more important. I 
have found the morning of the Sabbath exceed- 
ingly delightful. When I had a family of young 
children it required much resolution and effort 
to rise, before the rest of the family, in order to 
be alone ; — but still I did it — and I experienced 
the benefit of it during the day. I believe that 
if christians would prepare for the Sabbath, they 
would find it the market-day, the feast of fat 
things, to their souls." I observed, we read that 
the Saviour often rose, " while it was yet dark," 
24 * 



282 MEMOIR. 

and a " great while before day," in order to be 
alone for prayer — and that the women who min- 
istered to him, were early at the sepulchre, on 
the morning of the first day. This remark 
seemed to give a new direction to her thoughts : 
" Yes," she said, as the tears started from her 
eyes," when I think how that Saviour was treated 
by those whom he came to save ; how he was 
rejected and crucified, — I am astonished at his 
kindness and grace to us still. I wonder that 
he should ever manifest his presence to so 
unworthy a creature as I am. I have for 
many years been trying toj serve him, and to 
be conformed to his image ; but I come so far 
short in all things that I hardly dare think 
myself one of his disciples. But he is a pre- 
cious, all-sufficient Saviour, and I rejoice in 
his all-perfect righteousness." " Yesterday," 
she continued, " Miss C. read to me seve- 
ral of the last chapters of John ; and when she 
came to the Saviour's words, Neither pray I for 
these alone, but for them also which shall believe 
on me through their word, I thought that his 
intercession reached down even to me, and to all 
his disciples to the end of the world ; and this 
seemed to give me a new view of his love !" 



THE CLOSE OF LIFE. 283 

Sept. 26. On my visit to Mrs. McFarland 
this morning, the conversation turned on the 
subject of christian perfection. The remark 
was made, That there was an absolute perfection 
required, which true christians aimed at; a rel- 
ative perfection, which they attained in this life, 
and a promised perfection, which would be en- 
joyed by them forever in heaven : to which last 
remark she responded, in a weak voice, but ani- 
mated look, 

" O glorious hour ! O, bless'd abode ! 
I shall be near and like my God." 

" How sweet Watts' hymns are ! it seems as if I 
could not live without them." To a young 
friend she said, " Dear Mrs. M., do live near to 
the Saviour ; follow the Lord fully, as did Caleb 
and Joshua. He will not accept a divided heart. 
The world must be given up. He must be all 
in all." 

Thursday, Oct. 4. The day of the church 
fast. She even expressed a desire to observe it 
by abstaining from food, but was dissuaded from 
it by her friends. Mr. and Mrs. J. A., who were 
particular friends of the family, spent an hour 
or two with her in the afternoon. To Mrs. 
A e she said : " I trust we have been help- 



284 MEMOIR. 

ers to each other in the christian course, and 
what a glorious meeting we shall have in heaven ! 
Do be faithful while you live, and pray for me, 
that I may glorify God in death." She then 

thanked Mr. A e for all his attentions to 

her departed husband, and to all the family, and 
parted with them, saying, " You have been good 
friends to me ever since I came to Concord," 

Oct. 6. She was made happy by the calls of 
friends from another state, who had long been 
dear to her. Upon asking Rev. Mr. W. to 
pray with her, she observed, that after every 
prayer made during this illness in her sick room, 
she had evidently obtained renewed strength. 
To Mrs. F., who came in, she spoke of her antici- 
pated happiness in heaven. " When/' said she, 
" we enter a company of christians, there is 
something to mar our happiness. We do not 
know all, and we must part with them : but in 
heaven we shall know all, and there will be no 
separation of dear ones." To another friend 
who came in, she spoke of the kindness of peo- 
ple to her. " It has not been with us as with 
the families of some deceased ministers : forgot- 
ten and desolate ; but all have continued to be 
friends to us. When," said she, " Mr. McF. 



THE CLOSE OF LIFE. 285 

was dismissed, I could look around and feel that 
it was all right ; and I loved every individual, and 
how has that love been returned !" 

Oct. 8. The interview with Mrs. McFarland 
this day was peculiarly tender and affecting. 
Her daughter (Sarah) and son (William) who 
had been absent about a year, returned to 
see her. The other children, too, had just made 
her a visit — as she and they believed — for the 
last time. She spoke of the goodness of God 
to her children, in preserving their lives, and in 
returning them all home once more — and then, 
to express her gratitude, she requested prayer to 
be offered and a particular hymn to be sung. 
The hymn was sung by her daughter S., in a 
favorite tune, and with thrilling effect : 

" Wake, my soul, to joyful lays, 
And sing the great Redeemer's praise ; 
He justly claims a song from me, 
His loving-kindness, O, how free ! 

He saw me ruined in the Fall, 
Yet lov'd me notwithstanding all ; 
Hesav'd me from my lost estate, 
His loving-kindness, O, how great ! 

Though numerous hosts of mighty foes, 
Though earth and hell my way oppose ; 
He safely leads my soul along ; 
His loving-kindness, O, how strong! 

When trouble, like a gloomy cloud, 
Has gather'd thick, and thunder'd loud, 
He near my soul has always stood, 
His loving-kindness, O, how good. 



286 MEMOIR. 

Often I feel my sinful heart 
Prone from my Jesus to depart ; 
But though I have him oft forgot, 
Ilis loving-kindness changes not. 

Soon shall I pass the gloomy vale, 
Soon all my mortal powers must fail j 
O ! may my last expiring breath 
His loving-kindness sing in death !" 

Oct. 13.. On my visit to Mrs. McFarland 
this afternoon I found her alone. Her daugh- 
ters had left her for a few moments, — and she 
immediately seized the opportunity to ask my 
opinion as to her presenting a note in public, 
requesting prayers in her behalf. " I have hesi- 
tated," she said, " lest I should give needless 
alarm to my family ; and as I have been brought 
very low before this time, and recovered, I did'nt 
know but it might appear like ostentation, or 
drawing too much attention to myself." I 
replied, that it was altogether suitable in her cir- 
cumstances to present a note. It was a privi- 
lege to have the prayers of God's people in our 
behalf in sickness and affliction. " I know it," 
she quickly replied, "and I wish for them." "But, 
what, Mrs. McF., do you think of your own situa- 
tion, and of your prospect of recovery ?" "I 
was so much more comfortable a few days ago 
I did not know but I might gain strength again ; 
but now I do not expect it. I may continue a 



THE CLOSE OF LIFE. 287 

few weeks ; but I think this is my last sickness, 
and that my time is short/' She soon added : 
" I feel willing to go. God has been, and is so 
good to me, I wish to praise him ; to praise him 
more and better than I ever have done ! When 
I think of his glorious perfections, and particu- 
larly of his love in sending his Son to die for 
sinners, I wonder that every body does not love 
and praise him. In the night I lie awake and 
think of his goodness and grace to sinners ; and 
then I seem to see and feel his presence all around 
me. I do not mean that I have any thing like 
visions, but all is reality. God and the Saviour 
are with me — and I can seem to understand 
what heaven is, Where there is no need of the sun, 
nor of the moon to shine in it ; for the glory of 
God does lighten it, and the Lamb is the light 
thereof" All this, and more of the same import, 
was said, in a tone of the deepest humility — 
tears all the while suffusing her eyes and gently 
stealing down her pale face. Verily, thought I, 
God is here ! and this spot is truly 

* * * * " privileged — 
Quite on the verge of heaven !" 

Oct. 15. This afternoon she was very weak ; 
had experienced several turns of faintness and 
difficulty of breathing ; in reference to which 



288 MEMOIR. 

she said, " My work I suppose is almost over ; 
but why should I wish to live ? I cannot do 
any thing for others; I cannot attend public 
worship ; nor belong to the Sabbath school ; nor 
join in social meetings ; nor do anything for my 
family : — and as for me, T trust it will be far bet- 
ter to depart and be with Christ! My children 
I can safely leave in God's hands." Then, dwell- 
ing on the thought of being with Christ, she 
said, " O, this infinite Saviour ; I want the whole 
world to love him ! He is worthy of all love 
and all praise !" 

Allusion was made to the duty of christians 
to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I asked, what 
she could say of her own experience on that 
subject? She replied, " When I have been most 
diligent in the use of God's appointed means, I 
think I could perceive some progress in the 
divine life, though I feel that I have always come 
far short of what I should be. But secret prayer, 
reading of the scriptures, self-examination, days 
of fasting and prayer, public worship, and such 
means, bring the soul near to God, and promote 
growth in grace." A portion of the 8th chap- 
ter of Romans, from the 24th verse to the close, 



THE CLOSE OF LIFE. 289 

was then read, when she said, "No; not even 
death, with all its pains and appalling terrors, 
shall be able to separate us from the love of God 
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Oct. 18. This evening Mr. Buxton came, 
and spent the night. While conversing with 
him she seemed to be full of wonder and joy at 
the goodness of God. " O," said she, " what a 
privilege to live in any corner of this world, and 
even if destitute of every worldly comfort, to be 
under God's government. O, to think that the 
adorable Trinity should be all engaged to save 
my poor sinful soul ; to follow me, as I can now 
trace the operations of the Father, Son and 
Spirit, following me in all my wanderings, — it is 
overwhelming." Mr. B. said to her : " In view 
of all this goodness, how does the conduct of 
the impenitent seem to you V She answered, 
with much tenderness, " O, I feel more pity for 
them, and yearning over them than ever before. 
I used to view their conduct with more indigna- 
tion than I feel now." He inquired of her — " In 
which of the doctrines of the gospel do you 
most delight P " I think," said she, " I am 
more taken up with the character and works of 
Christ than any thing else ; but every day some 
25 



290 MEMOIR. 

one of them engrosses my attention, and fills me 
with delight." One of her daughters said to 
her, " Mother, it is a new thing to see you en- 
joying so clear an evidence respecting yourself." 
She said — " My Father has removed my dark- 
ness, and given me a sweet hope for some time. 
I know I did walk in darkness for a long time, 
but now, though I see myself to be the chief of 
sinners, 1 can look back and realize that by the 
grace of God I have been seeking to serve him." 
It was said — " God is honored by the cheerful 
hope of the christian." She said : " I desire 
while I live to bear my testimony to his good- 
ness." 

Again : " I have felt much happiness, of 
late, in thinking of the government of God: 
How safe we are under the government of such 
a wise, just and benevolent being. All is right 
and well, because God reigns." 

Oct. 19. " I want to enjoin it upon you to 
expect great things of God, and to rejoice more 
in his goodness." It was her practice to have a 
season of prayer with the friends who watched 
with her. She would request the watcher to 
pray first ; then she would raise herself, and sit 
erect in her bed and offer a prayer. On Satur- 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 291 

day night she prayed for ministers, particularly 
for those who were to preach on the coming day ; 
and so fervently, that her attendants feared she 
might exhaust herself. 

Sabbath, Oct. 21 . While some of the family 
were absent at church, she prayed that the cler- 
gyman might have great assistance in prayer and 
preaching, and the Holy Spirit might accom- 
pany his instructions. Rev. Mr. Burnham, who 
this day preached in town, called in the evening. 
He spoke of their long continued acquaintance 
and friendship. She told him, in reply, she hoped 
she had found great benefit from his preaching ; 
" for," said she, " you sermons led me to exam- 
ine my hope anew ; and I trust I always had my 
hope established on a better foundation than be- 
fore." During this night she requested to be 
raised and placed in a comfortable position. She 
then prayed with great earnestness, first for her 
own children, mentioning each one by name, 
with suitable allusions to their different circum- 
stances : her grand-children were likewise re- 
membered. She appealed to her " covenant 
keeping God," with what seemed a holy bold- 
ness, and concluded these petitions by express- 
ing a humble confidence, that all the children, 



292 MEMOIR. 

whom she was about to leave would join her in 
heaven. Then, after embracing in her prayer 
other objects and individuals, she prayed for her- 
self. She expressed no doubt of her own ac- 
ceptance at last, but when she came to speak of 
the " dark valley" through which she was to pass, 
she asked, with many tears, that she might not 
then be left in darkness, but that she might see 
her Saviour's face all the way through. It was 
very affecting to see her thus, sitting with her 
emaciated hands folded, and the tears fast falling 
from her face, while she prayed for support in 
the hour of death. After she had closed and 
rested awhile from the fatigue, a daughter said, 
" Mother, I trust you have no sad feelings at the 
thought of dying." She said, with a trembling 
voice, " I am a very great sinner, and it seems 
impossible that such an one should be admitted 
to heaven ;" but she added, in a cheerful tone, 
"I fully believe that God has pardoned my sins; 
and if he intends to receive me into the heaven- 
ly mansions, how can I fear that he will forsake 
me ? I think I can trust him in the darkest hour." 
She then spoke of her friends, Mrs. Ripley, of 
Ct., and Mrs. Holmes, of Boston, to each of 
whom death seemed like falling asleep. 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 293 

Oct. 22. To-day I was particularly struck 
with two traits of her character, which indeed 
were always visible, but which at this time ap- 
peared exceedingly lovely — viz. : her charity 
and her christian simplicity. Having occasion 
to speak of one who neglected public worship, 
she said, " I have often thought there was a good 
disposition in him, which more attention and 
efforts of christian friends might bring out. We 
must go to such persons and draw them with 
kindness to the house of the Lord — as well as 
pray for them." 

Having expressed a desire for prayer and sing- 
ing, she was asked if she had a choice of a 
hymn. She said, " I should be pleased to hear 
the one entitled, ' Loving Kindness ,' which it 
not being convenient to sing, she said — " Per- 
haps I ought not to say, I should be pleased to 
hear one — but sing one to the praise of God, 
Singing is a part of God's worship. Then the 
beautiful hymn was sung : 

" There is a fountain fill'd with blood, 
Drawn from Emmanuel's veins." 

During the singing she appeared to be in the 
most devout frame ; her eyes closed, and gently 
inclined upw r ards, as if breathing a prayer in ac- 
cordance with the words of the hymn. We knew 
25* 



294 MEMOIR. 

indeed it was a favorite hymn ; — one which she 
had often selected for social meetings ; and that 
the theme — the "precious blood" of Christ, — 
was that on which above all others she delighted 
to dwell. Her face even seemed to shine when 
the words were sung : 

" E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream 

Thy flowing wounds supply, 
Redeeming love has been my theme, 

And shall be till I die. 

" Then in a nobler, sweeter song, 

I'll sing thy power to save ; 
When this poor, lisping, stammering tongue, 

Lies silent in the grave." 

" Beautiful hymn! sweet words;" she added, 
" Precious blood, has power to cleanse and par- 
don too !" 

Oct. 23. She had felt much interest in two 
young gentlemen, who were to leave town this 
week, and commence a course of study at An- 
dover. One of them called to take leave of her. 
She received him very affectionately, and in the 
course of conversation remarked that she had 
seen a great difference in the young men who 
were preparing for the ministry. Some of them, 
she said, pursue their studies to the exclusion of 
efforts to promote the good of souls ; as if their 
advancement in study was all that was required, 
until they actually entered upon the work, while 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 295 

others engaged at once in every good object 
which called for labor which they could perform. 
She thought she could see a striking differ- 
ence in the usefullness of the two classes, after 
they had entered the ministry. She represented 
to him the unspeakable importance of aiming at 
a high standard of personal holiness. In the 
course of the night, a daughter said, " Mother, 
what a comfortable night you are enjoying." 
" O yes," said she, " so happy ; and when I think 
of my Saviour, it seems as if I could not remain 
in the body, but must fly out and meet him." 

Oct. 24. The progress of the disease which 
was gradually preying on her vitals, was strik- 
ingly visible to-day, in her swelled feet and al- 
most entire prostration of strength. She could 
not walk across the room without support. But 
though the outward man perish, yet the inward 
man is renewed day by day. So it was with Mrs. 
McFarland. There was not only a sweet seren- 
ity of soul, but positive consolation and joy — 
the fruit of tried and mature piety. Alluding 
to former seasons of sickness, I said — " Your 
views and feelings are different from what they 
formerly were." " Yes," she replied: "In 
sicknesses before I have had the sins of half 



296 MEMOIR. 

a century to wade through : — now, my sins ap- 
pear no less, but the Saviour appears with his 
righteousness, and the number of my sins only 
makes it appear more sweet to trust in him." I 
said — " As you anticipate your approaching 
change, are you free from anxiety and alarm?" 
" Yes : The Lord has sustained me thus far, and 
even beyond what I expected, and I think I can 
trust in him for dying grace. His promise is, 
* I will never leave — never forsake thee.' " 

" What conceptions do you form of heaven ?" 
I asked her. 

" I cannot say that my mind is fully settled as 
to what will be the employments of heaven ; but 
I conceive of it chiefly as a state of holiness; 
no sin, no temptation, will be there. I think of 
it as a state of confirmed grace ; where the 
saints will have no fear or apprehension of fall- 
ing into sin, for God is their God forever ! I 
think, too, one source of happiness will be, the 
communion and fellowship of all believers ; for 
then they will know each other perfectly. All 
the ignorance, jealousies and animosities which 
exist here will be done away. We shall know- 
more of God ; and it seems to me that his sove- 
reign grace and electing love will be conspicuous 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 297 

to all the redeemed and throughout eternity ! 
There will be many wonders in heaven"; every 
saint there will be a wonder to himself. For 
when he thinks what he was by nature, and what 
grace has made him, he cannot but say — 

* Lord, why was I made to hear thj T voice, 

And enter while there's room*, 
When thousands make a wretched choice, 

And rather starve than come.' 

Christ, too, will be seen, all glorious in heaven, 
and redeeming love will be the theme of praise 
forever and ever I" 

Oct. 26. Of her own accord she resumed 
the theme of our last conversation, viz. Heaven. 
She said — " The Trinity in the Godhead ap- 
pear to me all-glorious, and it may be a part of 
the celestial employment to contemplate that 
great mystery. God, the Father, planned the 
great scheme of redemption ; Christ, the Son, 
died to make atonement, and the Holy Spirit re- 
news and sanctifies the soul for heaven. What 
a wonder, that the three persons in the Godhead 
should all be engaged in securing the salvation 
of such poor sinful creatures as we are." Soon 
she added, " all the glory must be given to God, 
that any are saved. He first loved us. Yes, it 
is all electing love/' She then requested to 
hear a portion of scripture, and the 23d Psalm 
was read, 



298 MEMOIR. 

" The Lord is my Shepherd ; 

I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ; 

He leadeth me beside the still waters ; 

He restoreth my soul ; — . 

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, 
for his name's sake ; 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 
shadow of death, I will fear no evil, 

For thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff, 
they comfort me," 

" O yes, she added, he restoreth the soul : 
how often, when distressed and disheartened, 
he restoreth comforts to it. When his children 
wander from the right way, then the good Shep- 
herd restores and brings them back. Good is 
the Lord ; ( surely goodness and mercy have 
followed me all the days of my life. 5 " 

After prayer she desired a hymn to be sung. 

A daughter remarked, — " We have sung 
once this morning, mother ; will it not be too 
much for you V 9 " O no ! singing is my cordial. " 

She then named hymn 68, 2d book of Watts : 

" Father, I long, I faint to see 

The place of thine abode ; 
I 'd leave the earthly courts, and flee 

Up to thy seat, my God." 

As this hymn was sung, while she lay pale, 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 299 

with her eyes closed, and head gently elevated 
in a devotional frame, the glory of God seemed 
to fill the room. Every word was full of mean- 
ing in application to her. At the words, 

* There all the heavenly hosts are seen ; 

In shining ranks they move ; 
And drink immortal vigor in, 

With wonder and with love,' 

heaven seemed to open on our view. But when 
the fifth and sixth stanzas were repeated, the 
words were so descriptive of her own feelings, 
that the voice of one of the singers was hushed 
by the power of emotion, and all in the room 
were dissolved in tears. 

" Then at thy feet, with awful fear, 

Th' adoring armies fall, 
With joy they shrink to nothing there, 

Before the eternal All. 

The more thy glories strike mine eyes 

The humbler I shall lie ; 
Thus, while I sink, my joys shall rise 

Unmeasurably high." 

" Yes/' said she, " now and forever, the lower 
we sink in humility and self abasement before 
God, the higher we shall rise in the enjoyment 
of him." Then, with much animation of voice, 
she added — "O my christian friends, praise him 
for his goodness ! Be faithful ! serve him. Dear 
pastor, never be discouraged ; a crown awaits 
you !" 

Oct, 30. Death appeared near ; but O, how 



300 MEMOIR. 

calm — how happy ! how becoming every word, 
look, and motion. Several christian friends, be- 
sides her daughters, were present. As usual, 
she requested to hear a portion of scripture, 
with prayer and singing. The scripture which 
was read was John 19 : 13 — 30, on the crucifix- 
ion of our Saviour. She said — " I feel much 
obliged to you, Mr. B., for leading our minds to 
that subject. Lately I have thought much of 
the sufferings and death of Christ for us. The 
Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all. 
He was wounded for our transgressions : he was 
bruised for our iniquities. By his stripes we are 
healed." 

" What hymn," she was asked, " would you 
prefer ]" " O, select one, if you please, about 
Christ ; any one that is about him will be good." 
The 103d select hymn was then read and sung 
with delightful effect : 

' Awake, and sing the song 
Of Moses and the Lamb.' 

" Precious season this," she said, " thus with 
christian friends to sing the Saviour's praises. 

' My willing soul would stay 

In such a frame as this, 
And sit and sing herself away 

To everlasting bliss.' " 

Nov. 1. This being the day of the prepara- 
tory lecture before communion, the conversa- 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 301 

tion with Mrs. McFarland very naturally turned 
to that subject. She, however, introduced it, 
by saying, " I have greatly desired to be prepared 
for the next communion Sabbath : Though I 
cannot expect to be present, yet I can commune 
with the saints in my heart. It is now two 
months since I met with them at the communion 
table ; and the first Sabbath of last month I was 
so weak that I could hardly enjoy any thing." 

I replied, " Should the Lord spare you till 
next Sabbath, the sacrament may be administered 
to you here ; it will be altogether proper, and in 
accordance with our custom." 

Her eyes instantly filled with tears, and she 
said, " O, that will be too great a privilege for 
me ; but if I could once more, it would be my 
greatest happiness." 

I asked, in what manner she had usually pre- 
pared for the Lord's Supper? 

"I used, in former years, to set apart a por- 
tion of Saturday afternoon for prayer and self- 
examination ; and I thought it important to rise 
earlier than common on Sabbath morning; — and 
when I have done so, I always found the sacra- 
ment a refreshing season. I have told my sis- 
ters of the church, that if the weather was cold 
26 



<|02 MEMOIR. 

we might take an old cloak or blanket, and get 
away into some corner, and there pour out our 
hearts to God, and we should be amply paid by 
being warmed and enlivened at the communion 
table." 

It seemed, at this moment, to occur to her, 
that her example in this respect might be men- 
tioned to her commendation : she paused and 
said, " O, I would not have any thing said in my 
praise. I am such a poor, unworthy creature 
that nothing can be said. Let the Saviour have 
all— all — the praise and glory, forever ! I am a 
wonder to myself. When I remember where I 
was born, and where I spent my childhood and 
youth — amid temptations and dangers, and think 
of the mercy of God in calling me to seek his 
favor, I cannot but admire his grace !" 

Saboaih, Nov. 4. The anticipated season of 
communion arrived. After the communion ser- 
vice, at church, we repaired to the privileged 
dwelling of this beloved and venerated mother 
in Israel. The deacons of the church, her 
daughters, and three or four of the neighbors 
were present as communicants. We found her 
sitting up in the arm chair, dressed in a white 
garment, placid, and happy. She took each of 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 303 

us by the hand with an expression of great pleas- 
ure. A stand stood in the middle of the room, 
covered with a white napkin, and every object 
around seemed exactly fitted to the sacred and 
solemn scene before us. As soon as the vessels 
containing the consecrated emblems of the 
Saviour's death were placed on the stand, her 
eyes filled with tears, and she said, in a tone of 
most unaffected humility, " O, how could I be 
indulged with such a privilege ; — a creature, not 
worthy to wipe the dust from the feet of my 
brethren, — It is more than I had reason to 
expect. But so gracious is the Saviour, he 
spread his table with provisions for our refresh- 
ment, and he bids us welcome to it. I feel an 
assurance of his love, though I have not yet those 
triumphing joys which some are favored with. 
I want to serve him better. I have sometimes 
felt a wish to return to earth, that I might live 
nearer and be more devoted to him." 

The sacrament was administered to her. The 
scene was deeply tender and affecting. We knew 
it must be the last time to her ; and we thought 
of the words of the Saviour, / will not hence- 
forth drink of the fruit of the vine, until I drink 
it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 



304 MEMOIR. 

I asked her if she thought of any hymn she 
would like to have sung : " Yes, if you please, 
sing the 13th of the 3d book: 

' How sweet and awful is the place, 

With Christ within the doors — 
While everlasting love displays 

The choicest of her stores.' " 

We bid her farewell, knowing that the time of 
her departure was at hand. 

8 o 'clock , evening. Word was brought that 
Mrs. McF. had failed much during the afternoon. 
I visited her again. An evident change had 
come over her countenance ; — she had then been 
coughing incessantly for about four hours, with- 
out raising any thing : and the signs of approach- 
ing dissolution were visible. But O, what a 
place — what a scene ! The very room was the 
ante-chamber of heaven. Several beloved sis- 
ters of the church, who had often prayed with 
her, were there, to witness her triumph. Her 
mind was calm, clear, overflowing with holy joy. 
She said, " By the blessing of the Saviour on the 
meeting at noon, I have been greatly strength- 
ened and supported. I now feel all ready to 
depart ! My work is done. Heretofore, I occa- 
sionally felt some solicitude about the struggle 
with death. I thought I might be appalled ; but 
my Saviour has appeared for me. He will go 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 305 

with me through the dark valley. I have no 
fears — no doubts— no darkness f I leave all 
with him — assured that his power will sustain 
me — and ' none shall be able to pluck me out of 
his hand.' " 

As far as her strength and incessant coughing 
would allow, she added other remarks, all 
expressive of her adoring views of Christ, and 
readiness to depart and be with him. " The 
Saviour/' she said, " is really always near to the 
christian, though he does not perceive him. Like 
Mary at the sepulchre, looking for Christ ; — 
she did not recognize him, though he was close 
by. But when he spoke, Mary, then she joy- 
fully hailed him as her Master and Lord. It is 
our unbelief and sins that hide the Saviour from 
view — not that he withdraws from us. We must 
love him more, and be faithful to him, and then 
we shall never lose sight of him !" 

In this delightful strain she conversed, while 
all the room sat in silence, listening and weep- 
ing. A few passages of scripture, such as the 
following, were then repeated : " Though I walk 
through the valley of the shadow of death, I 
will fear no evil : for thou art with me ; thy rod 
and thy staff, they comfort me." " I am now 
26* 



30C MEMOIR. 

ready to be offered, and the time of my depart- 
ure is at hand ; I have fought a good fight ; I 
have finished my course ; I have kept the faith. 
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of 
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
judge, will give me in that day." " Surely I 
I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord 
Jesus, come quickly." Prayer was offered, com- 
mending her spirit to her covenant God the 
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. She then said, 
" Sarah, will you sing — ' Sweet Glories' ? 

" Sweet glories rush upon my sight, 

And charm my wond'ring eyes — 
The regions of immortal light, 

The beauties of the skies ! 

All hail ! ye fair celestial shores, 

Ye lands of endless day ; 
Swift on my view your prospect pours, 

And drives my griefs away. 

There's a delightful clearness now — 

My clouds of doubt are gone ; 
Fled is my former darkness too — 

My fears are all withdrawn. 

Short is the passage — short the space 

Between my home and me; 
There ! there, behold the radiant place, 

How near the mansions be ! 

Immortal wonders ! boundless things, 

In those dear words appear ; 
Prepare me, Lord, to stretch my wings 

And in those glories share !'* 

Every word of this hymn, as then sung, seemed 
full of meaning. All was reality ; the ' glories' 
of the celestial city were in full view, — and the 
intervening ' space' between ' her' and her ever- 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 307 

lasting ' home' seemed to vanish away. ' Yes," 
she said, "my ' griefs, 5 ' my clouds,' ' my fears,' 
are all gone.' 

1 Fled is my former darkness, too.' 

O, how good, how gracious is my Saviour, in 
such an hour as this !" 

I bade her farewell, with no expectation of 
meeting her again in this world. But the work 
of praise and triumph was not yet finished. The 
next morning, Nov. 5, she was living. Her cough 
had contiuned till about 12 o'clock, when it 
ceased: and all attendant friends thought that 
death was at hand. She lay perfectly happy — 
waiting the moment of her discharge ! On vis- 
iting her in the morning, I learnt that the whole 
night had been spent in the same joyful state of 
mind, as when I left her. I said, " I am happy 
to see you once more in the land of the living. 
How do you now feel." " Happy," she replied, 
" but I am still dependent on the means of grace. 
The prayers, conversation, reading and singing 
of my christian friends are a cordial to me. I 
do not want them to stop ; they are my strength 
in weakness ; I have been greatly sustained dur- 
ing the night ; the whole room — the very atmos- 
phere — seemed full of the presence of Christ : 



308 MEMOIR. 

but I shall not want these means of grace much 
longer. 

1 Father, I long, I faint to see 
The place of thine abode.' " 

During this interview, which was sweet, and 
affecting beyond description, we read to her 
select portions of Scripture. Rev. 7 : 9 — 17. 
21 : 3, 4, 22- — 27 : conversed on the views there- 
in presented of the heavenly state ; — the union 
and communion of " the saints of all ages," and 
of every nation. She alluded repeatedly to the 
sweetness of the sacramental season, the preced- 
ing day ; and anticipated the joy of uniting with 
all the ransomed of the Lord in the everlasting 
song, " Worthy the Lamb !" She then requested 
the hymn to be sung : 

" I would not live alway— I ask not to stay, 
Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way. 

****** 

Who, who would live alway, away from his God ; 
Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode, 
Where the rivers of pleasure flow o'er the bright plains, 
And the noon-tide of glory eternally reigns : 

Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, 
Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet ; 
While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, 
And the smile of the Lord is the joy of the soul." 

At another time she desired to hear the " Judg- 
ment Hymn" sung. On the words of which— 

" Brothers and sisters will meet to part no more"— 

she remarked, " Through the covenant mercy 
and grace of God, I feel a great assurance that 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 309 

my dear children will not be " parted ;" but that 
they will all be brought, in due time, into the 
Saviour's kingdom ! I can trust them all in his 
hands." 

A considerable number of christian friends 
called to see her once more, and to witness the 
dying triumph. For each one she had an affec- 
tionate word. She expressed her love, and left 
her christian salutations for all the dear members 
of the church. To a little girl, who was led up 
to the bed-side by her mother, she said : " My 
dear child, do you wish to come to the Saviour ? 
He loves little children. Will you come to him, 
and let him take you up in his arms, as he did 
little children when he was on earth V 7 

In all that she said, there was perfect calmness 
— no excitement — no extravagance of express- 
ion- — nothing fanciful — but a calm, elevated, holy 
joy — giving to all who witnessed it a vivid con- 
ception of a serene and joyous heaven. The 
hymns which were sung at her request seemed 
to be the commencement of the everlasting song. 

As I stood by her, in the afternoon, when she 
was so feeble as hardly to be able to speak, she 
said : " Will you repeat a few passages of scrip- 
ture to me T" I did, such as the following : 



310 MEMOIR. 

" By the grace of God I am what I am." " By 
grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not 
of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of 
works, lest any man should boast.' 5 " I live — 
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me : and the life 
which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith 
of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave 
himself for me." " O, yes, yes," she added — 
" it is all of grace. I am the poorest and most 
unworthy of all his children ; less than the least 
of all saints ; but he is pleased to bless and sup- 
port ; and to him be all the glory !" 

Nov. 6. The symptoms of immediate disso- 
lution, which were visible last evening, passed 
off during the night. She had comfortable rest 
— breathed and spoke more freely, and at an 
early hour this morning she was rejoicing even 
more than usual in the presence and love of 
Christ. I visited her, by invitation, before sun- 
rise. Her eyes beamed with hope and joy. Her 
eldest daughter had arrived the preceding eve- 
ning, and her welcome presence, this morning, 
gave new and delightful interest to the closing 
scene, When she came into the room, her 
mother extended her feeble hand, kissed her 
daughter, and said — " Through the goodness of 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 311 

my Saviour I have had a happy night : the room 
has been full of his presence. In his presence 
is fulness of joy." 

Select passages of scripture were repeated : 
41 God so loved the world that he gave his only 
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him 
should not perish, but have everlasting life." 
" Let not your heart be troubled. In my Fa- 
ther's house are many mansions ; I go to pre- 
pare a place for you. And if I go and prepare 
a place for you, I will come again and receive 
you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may 
be also." Also, John 17 : 24.— II. Cor. 4 : 17, 
18. 5 : 1—8. Phil. 1 : 21—23. II. Tim. 1 : 
12, &c. Prayer was offered, and the hymn 
usually sung at the close of our communion ser- 
vice, with the doxology, was then sung : 

" Blest be the tie, that binds 

Our hearts in Christian love 3 
The fellowship of kindred minds 

Is like to that above. 
***** 
" When we asunder part 

It gives us inward pain ; 
But we shall still be joined in heart, 

And hope to meet again. 
****** 

DOXOLOGY. 

" Ye angels round the throne, 

And saints that dwell below ; 
Worship the Father, love the Son, 

And bless the Spirit too." 

After the doxology she said — " All the Trin- 



312 MEMOIR. 

ity ; praise all the Trinity ; all are engaged in 
the work of our redemption. " Soon after she 
added : "I have so much of heaven, here, all 
around me, that I have not the least wish to de- 
part one moment before it shall be the will of 
my heavenly Father to call me." 

At another interview this day, I remarked : 
" Mrs. McFarland, during all your sickness I 
have never heard you say any thing of bodily 
pains; have you been free from them?" She 
replied, l< O, I have none to speak of. God has 
made all my bed in my sickness ; he has dealt 
gently with me. Formerly I had many pains, in 
my side and shoulders ; more, previous to this 
last confinement, than since. But last Friday 
morning, for about eight hours, my pains were 
severe. T thought I could not long bear them. 
I had just before been thinking that persons 
who died of my complaint were usually exercis- 
ed with severe pains : and as I had been for the 
most part free from them, I was ready to ask — 

" Shall I be carried to the skies 

On flowery beds of ease, 
While others fought to win the prize, 

And sail'd through bloody seas?" 

Very soon, however, the Lord taught me how 
dependent I am on him for bodily comfort." 
At another time, casting her eyes around the 






CLOSE OP LIFE. 



313 



room, and seeing several christian friends, she 
said — " When our beloved pastor and dear chris- 
tian friends are together, can we not improve 
the time in prayer to God, that he would revive 
a work of grace in the hearts of his dear chil- 
dren ; wake up all the beloved members of his 
church to new zeal, and bring many precious 
souls into his kingdom ?" 

During the day, Nov. 6, which it was suppos- 
ed would be her last, a very considerable num- 
ber of neighbors and christian friends called to 
see her. All esteemed it a precious privilege to 
see her face, to hear her voice, to take her dying 
hand, and especially to receive from her lips a 
farewell word. Some parents sent or led their 
children in, with the hope that a favorable im- 
pression might be made on their tender hearts. 
For all, of every class and age, she had an ap- 
propriate word. But O, the beautiful simplicity 
of her language and manner ; nothing studied, 
nothing formal. Her expressions flowed spon- 
taneously from a heart of guileless purity and 
love — as dictated by the circumstances of the 
occasion. What was striking to all, there was 
no repetition of favorite words or thoughts ; 
every remark seemed new. Even the theme of 
27 



314 MEMOIR. 

redeeming love—Christ and his presence — was 
dwelt on by her in language of such varied 
beauty and sweetness as to have new charms to 
the hearers ! 

Nov. 7. Still triumphing through the grace 
which is in Christ Jesus ! She slept comforta- 
bly during the night, and awoke still praising 
her God and Saviour. My first interview in the 
morning was exceedingly delightful, like those 
on preceding days. About noon she appeared 
much nearer her end. Her children and friends 
were gathered in weeping silence round her bed, 
awaiting the last struggle. Her eldest daughter 
supported her head upon a pillow. Prayer was 
offered, and a few passages of scripture repeat- 
ed. " Peace I leave with you ; my peace I give 
unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nei- 
ther let it be afraid." " He, being full of the 
Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, 
and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing 
on the right hand of God. And they stoned 
Stephen, calling upon God, and saying — Lord 
Jesus, receive my spirit." " We know, that if 
our earthly house of this tabernacle were dis- 
solved, we have a building of God, an house not 
made with hands, eternal in the heavens." " I 



CLOSE OP LIFE. 315 

beheld, and lo ! a great multitude, which no 
man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, 
and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, 
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes 
and palms in their hands ; and cried with a loud 
voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sit- 
teth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." 

She said, " This brings heaven down to us/' 
She then requested a beloved sister in the church, 
Mrs. A., to sing, in an ancient favorite tune — 

" Jesus can make a dying bed 

Feel soft as downy pillows are, 
While on his breast I lean my head, 

And breathe my life out sweetly there." 

Soon after, she said — " Will you now sing— 

" The voice of free grace cries, Escape to the mountain, 
For Adam's lost race Christ hath opened a fountain ; 
For sin and uncleanness, and every transgression, 
His blood flows so freely in streams of salvation." 

CHORUS. 

" Hallelujah to the Lamb, who has bought us a pardon— 
We '11 praise him again, when we pass over Jordan." 

As these hymns were sung, all in the room 
wept, while she lay calmly looking upward as if 
breathing out her spirit into the hands of her 
Saviour ! 

Most of the afternoon she lay in an apparently 
dying state. Her mind was perfectly clear, al- 
though she was unable to say much. Allusion 
being made to her weakness and dependence, 



316 MEMOIR. 

she said — " An infinite Saviour ! he must be in- 
finite, or he could not take care of so many 
poor weak creatures !" Then she whispered — 

" Sweet pleasures mingle with the pains." 

Soon after, in a full, clear voice, she said — 

" O for this love, let rocks and hills 

Their lasting silence break ; 
And all harmonious human tongues 

The Saviour's praises speak !" 

Nov, 8. The testimony of this dear saint of 
God was not yet finished. On my visit to her 
in the afternoon, she said, " I have been wishing 
to see you. I have feared you would think too 
well of me, and I have wanted to tell you what 
a poor, sinful creature I am. The dreadful 
thought that I may deceive others into a good 
opinion of me, has been a burden on my mind ! 
O ! my heart is full of the seeds of sin. My 
ingratitude to God, after receiving so many 
mercies, makes me appear the chief of sinners 
to myself. When 1 hear of persons being sent 
to the state prison, I think they have not proba- 
bly sinned against half as much light as I have ; 
and if God were not long-suffering and of great 
mercy, I should perish forever ! Christian friends 
should never speak of each other as eminent, 
but think of the restraining and preserving 



CLOSE OF LIFE. 317 

grace of God. It is he that holds us up, or we 
should fall." 

This was said in such a tone of humility and 
contrition as to bring tears into all our eyes. 
Then she added, to an aged sister of the church, 
with whom she had often conversed and prayed, 
" You have always been a helpful christian — I 
have been a fearful one. Many a time, when I 
have felt mental distress on account of my state, 
I have been in to see you, and got some comfort. 
You know how I felt when I heard that my son 
W. was sick ; and the hour you spent with me 
in prayer, in this room, gave me great peace all 
next day." Thus the beloved saint, at the 
threshhold of heaven, humbled herself, and ex- 
alted the riches of divine grace. As expressive 
of her views and feelings we read Eph. 2 : 1 — 22, 
and sung — 

" Grace ! 'tis a charming sound ; 

Harmonious to the ear : 
Heaven with the echo shall resound, 

And all the earth shall hear ! 

****** 

" Grace, all the work shall crown, 

Through everlasting days ; 
It lays in heaven the topmost stone, 

And well deserves the praise." 

Nov. 9. Her last day. She said to a 
young friend, " I feel as if I stood on the brink 
of Jordan." She recognized every one in the 

27* 



318 MEMOIR. 

room, and frequently expressed her love by whis- 
pering, " dear sons," " dear daughters/' " dear 
christian friends, how sweet it is to look at you." 
One said, " You look as if almost gone." " Do 
I ? well, perhaps it is so." " You feel all ready 
to go, don't you ?" " Yes, yes, I trust I do, all 
ready ; and perhaps I shall have no more con- 
sciousness of death than 1 now have." " Possi- 
bly," it was observed, " you may live till Sab- 
bath day, and you would love to begin an ever- 
lasting Sabbath then." She smiled, and said, 
"Oyes, how sweet that would be. If this is 
death, let me die, even if I am a long time about 
it : I am where I never was before." One re- 
marked — " On the top of Pisgah." " O ! that 
is it ; I am glad to hear that." Again : " Happy, 
happy day ! My dear Redeemer ! his arms — 
his arms!" " Are under you?" " Yes, and 
around me." 

I will record no more. Her reason continued 
till the last ; and thus this dear saint sweetly fell 
asleep in the arms of her Redeemer. She 
breathed her last about 6 o'clock, on Friday af- 
ternoon, November 9, 1838, aged 58 years. 



HER FUNERAL. 319 

Her funeral services were attended on the following 
Monday by an unusually large concourse of people, 
many of whom were from neighboring towns. A dis- 
course was preached by the pastor, from the text, Heb. 
6: 11, 12. And we desire that every one of you do shew 
the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the 
end : That ye he not slothful ; but followers of them who 
through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

Her remains were interred in the village grave-yard, 
by the side of her husband and her mother. A monu- 
ment of beautiful white marble has just been raised on 
the spot, by her children, bearing the simple inscription : 



IN MEMORY OF 

Mrs. ELIZABETH McFARLAND, 

CONSORT OF 

Rev. ASA McFARLAND, D. D., 

WHO DIED 

NOVEMBER 9, 1838, 

AGED FIFTY- EIGHT YEARS. 

" She hath done what she could" 



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